Abstract: A system and method for optimizing timing of responses to customer communications comprises a contact center and an operations center. The operations center includes a decision module that receives each communication and determines whether a partial response, such as an acknowledgement that the communication was received, is required. If a partial response is required, a response module sends a partial response to the sender that indicates the communication was received and preferably includes an estimate of the time required for a full response to the communication. All received communications are forwarded to a queue to await processing by an agent. The decision module determines whether a partial response is required based on an estimate of the amount of time required for a full response. If the time estimate is less than a predetermined threshold, a partial response is not sent and the communication is forwarded to a queue for processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for managing state information associated with user agents in systems utilizing the wireless application protocol. According to the invention, the user agent indicates in the header information of a WAP message such as a request to the cookie proxy that the user agent currently has a session having associated state information, when the user agent has received header information indicating the presence of a cookie during the current session. This informs the cookie proxy that it should continue storing the cookies associated with the current session. When the cookie proxy receives for the next time a WAP message without such indication, it can assume that a new session has started, in which case the cookie proxy can discard all cookies bound to the previous session unless certain parameters of certain cookies explicitly indicate that they should not be discarded at that moment.

Abstract: Aspects for achieving efficient file transfer and traffic management in a digital media distributor system are presented. The aspects include a central site server, at least one local traffic system, and an Internet file server (IFS) coupled between the central site server and the at least one local traffic system. The IFS acts as an intermediary between the central site and the at least one local traffic system, wherein the IFS supports file transfer in both directions between the central site and the at least one local traffic system.

Abstract: A scheme for providing environmental information to users is disclosed. In this scheme, environmental information is measured automatically by each of a plurality of environment sensors arranged at a plurality of regions, and the environmental information measured by each environment sensor is collected automatically to a base device, and stored at the base device. Then, the environmental information is processed at the base device according to a user information of an individual user, and processed environmental information is provided from the base device to the individual user through a network connecting the users and the base device.

Abstract: A diagnostic port for diagnosing a rack mount server while the server is installed in a rack. Diagnosis may be performed using an external computer in one of two ways. First, the external computer is connected to the diagnostic port to run server operating system debug algorithms. Second, the diagnostic port may provide access to data and routines in a server management device located within the server. Each of these functions is accessible via separate connectors located on the user-accessible faceplate at the front the server. Alternatively, the functions may be accessible via an adapter that connects to a single connector at the front of the server. The server management functions are ordinarily accessible from the rear using existing network connections, but an internal switch selectably enables the diagnostic port if a mating connector is inserted.

Abstract: A flexible, scalable hardware and software platform that allows a service provider to easily provide internet services, virtual private network services, firewall services, etc., to a plurality of customers. One aspect provides a method and system for delivering security services. This includes connecting a plurality of processors in a ring configuration within a first processing system, establishing a secure connection between the processors in the ring configuration across an internet protocol (IP) connection to a second processing system to form a tunnel, and providing both router services and host services for a customer using the plurality of processors in the ring configuration and using the second processing system. a packet routing system and method is described that includes a processor identifier in each packet to route the packets to a physical processor, and a logical queue identifier to route the packets to the destination object within that processor.

Abstract: A system and method for converting/generating web application programs is disclosed so that the system user or developer may perform substantially all activities with respect to a web application at the web browser level rather that at the web server or application server level to effect changes in the web application operation.

Abstract: A network distributed tracking wire transfer protocol for storing and retrieving data across a distributed data collection. The protocol includes a location string for specifying the network location of data associated with an entity in the distributed data collection, and an identification string for specifying the identity of an entity in the distributed data collection. According to the protocol, the length of the location string and the length of the identification string are variable, and an association between an identification string and a location string can be spontaneously and dynamically changed. The network distributed tracking wire transfer protocol is application independent, organizationally independent, and geographically independent. A method for using the protocol in a distributed data collection environment and a system for implementing the protocol are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for upgrading remote control application resident on a device. To this end, a markup language file is created. The markup language file has a representation of information used to setup the remote control application to communicate with an appliance. The markup language file may be executed, on the device or an intermediate client with which the device is synchronized, to upload the representation of the information to a remote server. At the remote server, the uploaded information is used to automatically display user-selectable, downloadable data files relevant to the control of the appliance. Downloaded data files, which may include command codes and/or graphical user interface elements, may be used within the device to upgrade the ability of the remote control application to communicate with the appliance. The information uploaded to the server may also be used to generate demographic data regarding consumer preferences.

Abstract: A reprogrammable packet processing system for processing a stream of data is disclosed herein. A reprogrammable data processor is implemented with a programmable logic device (PLD), such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), that is programmed to determine whether a stream of data applied thereto includes a string that matches a redefinable data pattern. If a matching string is found, the data processor performs a specified action in response thereto. The data processor is reprogrammable to search packets for the presence of different data patterns and/or perform different actions when a matching string is detected. A reconfiguration device receives input from a user specifying the data pattern and action, processes the input to generate the configuration information necessary to reprogram the PLD, and transmits the configuration information to the packet processor for reprogramming thereof.

Abstract: An optical network unit of each consumer is connected to an optical line terminator of a network operator through a subscriber line formed of an optical fiber. When a particular consumer desires to download digital content from a content retailer to the particular consumer through a network of the network operator, the particular consumer requests a bandwidth reservation of a resource reservation server of the network operator, so that a transmission condition composed of a bandwidth and a time zone is reserved in cases where the downloading of the digital content at the transmission condition is possible. Thereafter, the bandwidth reservation is sent to a downward bandwidth managing unit, and the digital content is downloaded from the content retailer to the particular consumer through the network of the network operator at the transmission condition according to the bandwidth reservation under control of the downward bandwidth managing unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sending an MMS-message, such as an e-mail, a fax and/or an SMS, from a first subscriber device in an MMS-enabled system to a second subscriber device. The MMS-message is converted before being forwarded to the second subscriber device, if the second subscriber device is not connected to an MMS-enabled system or cannot received MMS-messages. Also, an interface device converts and forwards the MMS-message to a subscriber device for specifying the message format.

Abstract: One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for implementing multicast control in a point-to-multipoint tree. In accordance with such method, an operation for translating a network element interface identifier associated with a first network element from a first type of network element interface identifier to a second type of network element interface identifier. The operation for translating the network element interface identifier generates a translated network element interface identifier corresponding to the second type of network element interface identifier and transmits the translated network element interface identifier from the first network element for reception by a second network element in response to successful translating the network element interface identifier. After initiating the operation for translating the network element interface identification, an operation is performed for creating a designated root of a point-to-multipoint tree.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for policy-based billing for a network session. Initially, a plurality of packets is received by a plurality of analyzers. Thereafter, the packets are aggregated. Next, the plurality of packets is analyzed to identify a plurality of flows and an session associated with the flows. At least one application associated with the session is also identified. The session is then reconstructed utilizing the identified application. A user associated with the session is then identified along with a policy. The user is then billed for the session in accordance with the policy.

Abstract: A method and system for providing locally generated prompts/announcements from a centralized source is presented in which voice and text files can be downloaded from a centralized server to a client device. The client device can include a telecommunications gateway which supports telephony services provided over a Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) network. By downloading files which are appropriate for the user, the client side receives and stores an appropriate subset of the prompt/announcement files available on the server.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide the user with improved operatability of an information-processing apparatus and usability of application programs as well as to implement rendering of services to download the application programs from a server to the information-processing apparatus. If storage means employed in the information-processing apparatus does not contain a free area with a storage size large enough for accommodating a desired application program and a data file relevant thereto to be downloaded from the server, an information communication system comprising the information-processing apparatus and the server automatically transfers application programs and data files from the storage means to an external recording medium such as the server itself to be saved therein in order to secure a free storage area in the storage means. The free storage area is used for storing a desired application program and a relevant data file which are to be downloaded from the server.

Abstract: A technique for the simplification of Web pages in order to access necessary information rapidly, when displaying or outputting Web pages using a small screen device or a voice browser. A method for simplifying Web contents includes the steps of acquiring a target page subject to simplification, acquiring adjoining pages that adjoin the target page and performing a difference operation to delete objects that are common among the target page and the adjoining pages from the target page to generate a simplified page.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and article of manufacture for implementing a common entitlement service through an access control repository. The access control repository is interposed between a front-end environment (i.e., a plurality of clients) and back-end resources containing a plurality of entitlement databases. During a browsing session, clients may invoke a plurality of applications each of which are configured to support different Web based solutions. To determine a customer's entitlement to a particular solution, the applications access a common repository containing entitlement information. Illustratively, the common repository is populated with entitlement information from a plurality of diversified entitlement systems.

Abstract: A collision-free protocol for transmitting frames between stations connected over a shared transmission medium such as an IEEE 802.3 Ethernet LAN. A logical ring is formed and a token is circulated among the connected stations part of the logical ring (not all connected stations are required to be part of the logical ring). Transmitting from any one station, part of the logical ring, is permitted only while holding the token, therefore preventing collisions. A collision-free protocol, over a standard Ethernet infrastructure, becomes feasible, yet remains compatible with the standard collision protocol, thus improving performances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting data modifications in MIB tables utilizes a network device having a table registrar, a notification controller, a table modification recorder and a row modification recorder. A Network Management System (NMS) registers a table to be monitored with the table registrar and enables the notification controller when observation of change notifications is desired. With the assistance of a modification count and a timestamp from the table modification recorder, the NMS can determine whether a modified row should be retrieved from the row modification recorder to find data that has been modified since the last poll.