Abstract: The invention relates to a presence status determination system and a computer implemented method to determine the presence status of a first user registered in a network and to communicate this presence status to a second user, who would like to make contact with the first user. An input device for a presence status determination device records a predetermined first presence status component determined by the first user and forwards the first presence status component to the presence status determination device (20). A contact person registration device records the identity of the second user and reports the identity to a relationship determination device. The relationship determination device determines, with the aid of a computer, a second presence status component, which considers the social proximity between the first user and the second user.

Abstract: A first type of processor-based device, such as a personal computer functioning as a host and containing digital media files, may wirelessly communicate with a second type of processor-based device or appliance, such as a digital picture frame (DPF). Upon request and/or at periodic intervals, the host may transmit menu items and/or media files to the DPF. Responsive to user choices entered at the DPF and transmitted to the host, the host may transmit further menu items and/or media files to the DPF. Methods of polling and registering one or more DPFs by a host, of retrieving media files by a host from the Internet satisfying user-specified search criteria, and of uploading media files from a DPF to a host, are also described, in addition to a network and a machine-accessible medium.

Abstract: In a content supply system 100, in order to use a streaming server 102 to perform a live distribution, a user PC 106 used makes a reservation for a time zone, etc. to a server reservation control center 101. When the user PC 106 sends desired reservation information to the server reservation control center 101 via the Internet 103, if the reservation is accepted, a reservation ID only used for authentication of the reservation is created and sent from the server reservation control center 101 to the user PC 106 via the Internet 103. When a distribution request is sent from the user PC 106 to the streaming server 102, authentication processing using this reservation ID is performed.

Abstract: A reconfigurable appliance control system includes a dedicated appliance control (DAC) for controlling operation of an appliance. The system further includes an appliance communication control (ACC) for communicating with at least one appliance. The system includes an appliance communication connection for interfacing the ACC to the appliance. The system also includes an external host control (EHC) for communicating with a remote system. The system further includes a host communication connection for interfacing the external host control with the ACC.

Abstract: An Internet small computer system interface (iSCSI) system, method and associated data structure are provided for receiving data in protocol data units. After a protocol data unit is received, a data list is identified that describes how the data contained in the protocol data unit is to be stored (i.e. placed, saved, etc.) in memory (i.e. application memory). Further stored is a state of the data list. To this end, the state of the data list is used in conjunction with the storage of data from a subsequent protocol data unit.

Abstract: A system controller selects a transmission mode for content distribution based upon the relative popularity of the content within the content distribution system. The system controller receives a content distribution request from a content source and detects a content distribution characteristic for content to be distributed by the content source, in response to receiving the content distribution request. When the content distribution characteristic indicates the content as being relatively popular, or frequently requested by receivers in the content distribution system, the system controller selects a one-to-many transmission mode for the content. When the content distribution characteristic indicates the content as being relatively unpopular, or infrequently requested by receivers in the content distribution system), the system controller selects a one-to-one transmission mode for the content.

Abstract: An interconnecting device for a data processing system. The interconnecting device comprises a first plurality of connection ports for connecting to first components of the data processing system. The interconnecting device further comprises a second plurality of connection ports for connecting to second components of the data processing system. And, a cover is affixed over the first plurality of connection ports to restrict access to the first plurality of connection ports.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and systems of processing and managing applications for collocation space. In a computer network including a workstation, a web server, an application server, and a database, the invention assists users in completing applications for collocation space and allows for management of and preparation of responses to those applications. Generally, embodiments of the invention may include submitting and distributing collocation applications and firm orders online; allowing field personnel to respond to and monitor applications online throughout the response and provisioning process; providing notification to field groups and users via e-mail of the events affecting each application; and displaying the current status of each application.

Abstract: A mobile router is configured for optimized utilization of reverse routing headers, to specify a path between an originating mobile router and a home agent. Reverse routing headers enable each mobile router within the path to the home agent to specify its care of address, enabling the home agent to establish a bidirectional tunnel to the originating mobile router via the corresponding mobile router. The mobile router selectively updates the reverse routing header in a received packet by inserting the source address value of the received packet into the reverse routing header and inserting its corresponding care of address into the source address field, based on whether the mobile router lacks a routing table entry that specifies reachability of a most recent entry in the reverse routing header via the source address value. The mobile router also may request the originating mobile router to increase the reverse routing header size.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to interactive hypermedia systems for locating electronic documents referenced on physical documents. More particularly, the present invention discloses a method and system for creating hyperlinks from one or more items, e.g. words, pictures, foot notes, symbols, icons, on a physical document to electronic documents and for activating the hyperlink in response to touching the selected item on the physical document. Also disclosed is a method and system for accessing, retrieving and displaying the hyperlinked electronic document and for pointing to the position (or positions) of the selected item on the displayed electronic document. In one embodiment, the invention discloses a method and system for locating on digital images, e.g., digital maps, the positions of items, e.g., locations names, referenced in a hard-copy document.

Abstract: A communications system may include a plurality of source message servers for storing messages for delivery to a user, a target message server having a target message box associated therewith, and an aggregation server for periodically aggregating the messages from the source message servers to the target message box for retrieval by the user. The target message server may provide a delivery failure message to the aggregation server based upon a failure to deliver a message to the target message box. As such, the aggregation server may increase a period of sending messages to the target message box based upon a delivery failure message therefrom, and thereafter decrease the period of sending messages to the target message box based upon a successful delivery of a message thereto.