Abstract: A method for hierarchical work scheduling includes consuming a work item at a first scheduling domain having a local scheduler circuit and one or more workgroup processing elements. Consuming the work item produces a set of new work items. Subsequently, the local scheduler circuit distributes at least one new work item of the set of new work items to be executed locally at the first scheduling domain. If the local scheduler circuit of the first scheduling domain determines that the set of new work items includes one or more work items that would overload the first scheduling domain with work if scheduled for local execution, those work items are distributed to the next higher-level scheduler circuit in a scheduling domain hierarchy for redistribution to one or more other scheduling domains.

Abstract: An Internet system comprising a user computer connected to the Internet; a group of related, information-containing Internet sites; and means for permitting the user computer to sequentially interact with selected ones of the group of Internet sites such that each of the selected ones of the Internet sites is provided with user-specific information regarding the user computer's prior interactions with Internet sites contained within the group during any discrete Internet session.