Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing improved device boot times on a network while that network is congested. According to embodiments of the present invention, when a device initializes, it listens for a congestion alert message before making a request for configuration information. If a congestion alert message is not received, a request for configuration information may be sent without further delay. Alternatively, if a network congestion message is received, the device may implement an alternate connection request sequence, in which transmission of a request for configuration information is delayed. The period of delay may be predetermined, random, or a period of time recommended as part of the congestion alert signal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to spam filters which consider browser-generated information, such as a browser log, in determining whether an electronic message, such as an e-mail, is or is not spam.

Abstract: A predictive software license balancing system for allocating a predetermined number of software licenses between two or more license servers located at different sites. Each license server compiles software license usage statistics and shares the usage statistics with the other license servers. Based in the compiled software license usage over time, the software license usage for each site is predicted and the available software licenses distributed accordingly, thus balancing the number of software licenses available at each site based on predicted software license usage.

Abstract: The present method for authorizing a substitute software license server allows the software provider to approve the temporarily usage of the customer's substitute license server to process application file usage requests when the host license server fails. The host license server is assigned a unique host identification for authorizing simultaneous usage of a plurality of application files having the same host identification, thus preventing a substitute license server from authorizing usage of the plurality of application files without obtaining host identification. A software provider server connected to the substitute license server via a network connection downloads a temporary identification and application files having the temporary identification to the substitute license server to allow the substitute license server to process the application file usage requests that are received by the substitute license controller.

Abstract: The period software licensing system allows the customer to create a software license schedule that includes one or more time periods during which application file usage is allowed and identifies the maximum number of concurrent application files allowed during the corresponding time period. The software license schedule may include a plurality of time periods each having a different corresponding maximum number of concurrent user allowed. The software management system authorizes concurrent usage of application files based on the time period during which an application file usage request is received and the number of concurrent users presently authorized.

Abstract: A multi-site software license balancing system for allocating a predetermined number of software licenses between two or more license servers located at different sites. Each license server compiles software license allocation and availability data and shares the allocation and availability data with the other license servers. When the number of allocated and available software licenses falls below a predetermined number and software licenses are available at an underutilized site, software licenses are transferred to the overutilized site, thus balancing the number of software licenses available at each site.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an interactive voice response system that provides responses based on the attributes of a communicant attribute determined from the detected speech characteristics of the communicant. According to the invention, a speech sample from the communicant is obtained and analyzed. Based on the analysis of the speech sample, a communicant attribute is determined, and, a set of voice responses are selected for use in communicating with the communicant.

Abstract: The period software licensing system allows the customer to create a software license schedule that includes one or more time periods during which application file usage is allowed and identifies the maximum number of concurrent application files allowed during the corresponding time period. The software license schedule may include a plurality of time periods each having a different corresponding maximum number of concurrent user allowed. The software management system authorizes concurrent usage of application files based on the time period during which an application file usage request is received and the number of concurrent users presently authorized.

Abstract: A multi-site software license balancing system for allocating a predetermined number of software licenses between two or more license servers located at different sites. Each license server compiles software license allocation and availability data and shares the allocation and availability data with the other license servers. When the number of allocated and available software licenses falls below a predetermined number and software licenses are available at an underutilized site, software licenses are transferred to the overutilized site, thus balancing the number of software licenses available at each site.

Abstract: A dynamic information retrieval system for monitoring a conversation between two or more parties and automatically collecting a plurality of keywords used during the conversation. A priority is assigned to the plurality of keywords and an information database is automatically searched for information relevant to the conversation based on the plurality of keywords. A keyword list and an information list is displayed on a workstation display to allow an agent to directly select/deselect one or more of the plurality of keywords and/or information, wherein the priority of the one or more of the plurality of keywords and/or information may be adjusted. As keywords and/or information are selected/deselected, the keyword list and the information list are dynamically updated based on new priorities that may have been assigned to the plurality of keywords and information and/or how much time has passed since a keyword was mentioned.

Abstract: The present method for authorizing a substitute software license server allows the software provider to approve the temporarily usage of the customer's substitute license server to process application file usage requests when the host license server fails. The host license server is assigned a unique host identification for authorizing simultaneous usage of a plurality of application files having the same host identification, thus preventing a substitute license server from authorizing usage of the plurality of application files without obtaining host identification. A software provider server connected to the substitute license server via a network connection downloads a temporary identification and application files having the temporary identification to the substitute license server to allow the substitute license server to process the application file usage requests that are received by the substitute license controller.

Abstract: A predictive software license balancing system for allocating a predetermined number of software licenses between two or more license servers located at different sites. Each license server compiles software license usage statistics and shares the usage statistics with the other license servers. Based in the compiled software license usage over time, the software license usage for each site is predicted and the available software licenses distributed accordingly, thus balancing the number of software licenses available at each site based on predicted software license usage.