Abstract: A method for reducing Domain Name System (DNS) lookup traffic in a computer data network in a system including a router in communication with a client computer includes the steps of receiving a DNS lookup request through a web browser when the user requests to open a particular URL. The router sends the DNS lookup request for a hostname of the web server to a DNS server and receives a corresponding IP address. The router forwards the IP address to the web browser and the web browser sends a network connection request with a file transfer request to the router. The router forwards the request to the web server. The web server responds to the request by sending an HTML document for the web page. Upon receiving the HTML document, the router examines the HTML document for the URLs associated with image elements to be downloaded for display of a web page and sends one DNS lookup request for each of the distinct hostnames, regardless of how many times that distinct hostname appears in the HTML document.

Abstract: A method of notifying consumers of available content in a content distribution system. The method includes determining the existence of a content event related to content. The content event is associated with a community. A consumer who is a member of the community is notified of the content event by sending a notification to the consumer. Access to content related to the content event is provided upon request by the consumer.

Abstract: A method for reducing Domain Name System (DNS) lookup traffic in a computer data network in a system including a router in communication with a client computer includes the steps of receiving a DNS lookup request through a web browser when the user requests to open a particular URL. The router sends the DNS lookup request for a hostname of the web server to a DNS server and receives a corresponding IP address. The router forwards the IP address to the web browser and the web browser sends a network connection request with a file transfer request to the router. The router forwards the request to the web server. The web server responds to the request by sending an HTML document for the web page. Upon receiving the HTML document, the router examines the HTML document for the URLs associated with image elements to be downloaded for display of a web page and sends one DNS lookup request for each of the distinct hostnames, regardless of how many times that distinct hostname appears in the HTML document.

Abstract: To reduce Domain Name System (DNS) lookup traffic in a computer data network, a client computer requests a DNS lookup. A router or other means then sends the request for a hostname of a web server to a DNS server and receives a corresponding IP address. Next, the router forwards the request to the web server. In response, the web server sends an HTML document. Upon receiving the HTML document, the router examines the document for URLs and sends one DNS lookup request for each of the distinct hostnames, regardless of how many times that distinct hostname appears in the HTML document. The router receives IP addresses, each of which corresponds to one of each of the distinct hostnames and modifies the HTML document by replacing the each of the distinct hostnames, including recurrences, in the URLs associated with the image elements with their corresponding IP addresses.

Abstract: A method of notifying consumers of available content in a content distribution system. The method includes determining the existence of a content event related to content. The content event is associated with a community. A consumer who is a member of the community is notified of the content event by sending a notification to the consumer. Access to content related to the content event is provided upon request by the consumer.

Abstract: A method of notifying consumers of available content in a content distribution system. The method includes determining the existence of a content event related to content. The content event is associated with a community. A consumer who is a member of the community is notified of the content event by sending a notification to the consumer. Access to content related to the content event is provided upon request by the consumer.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide notification information of a telephone voicemail message over a computer and/or hybrid communications network. A table of updated voicemail subscriber message information is generated that includes voicemail subscriber identifier information and voice mailbox message status for each respective subscriber. Web-based requests (or alternate communications standards communicating the requests) are received from subscribers for voice mailbox status information. For each request from a subscriber, subscriber-specific data is retrieved from the table and a data communications notification that incorporates the retrieved information is communicated to a voice/data communications device to provide an updated voice mailbox message status.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes central offices, located on the edge of a network to route requests along the edge of the network. Once an edge client receives a request for information, the edge client makes a determination as to whether the edge client can provide the information requested. If the edge client cannot provide the information requested, then the edge client determines whether a routing instruction applies which specifies a second edge client. If the routing instruction applies, then the request is routed to the second edge client.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes central offices, located on the edge of a network to route requests along the edge of the network. Once an edge client receives a request for information, the edge client makes a determination as to whether the edge client can provide the information requested. If the edge client cannot provide the information requested, then the edge client determines whether a routing instruction applies which specifies a second edge client. If the routing instruction applies, then the request is routed to the second edge client.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an indication of a telephone voicemail message over a computer network is provided. A table of updated voicemail subscriber message information is generated that includes voicemail subscriber identifier information and voice mailbox message status for each respective subscriber. Web-based requests are received from subscribers for voice mailbox status information. For each request from a subscriber, subscriber-specific data is retrieved from the table and an Internet web page incorporating the retrieved information is provided. A web page is then generated for a subscriber and downloaded over the subscriber's web browser to provide an updated voice mailbox message status. An additional embodiment is described in which a cache in the router is utilized to store updates of the voice mailbox message status.

Abstract: A method of distributing content to consumers includes allowing a consumer to join a community and monitoring access to content by members of the community. A community interest in the content is determined in response to members of the community accessing the content. The content is automatically distributed to the consumer over a distribution network in response to the community interest.

Abstract: A method of notifying consumers of available content in a content distribution system. The method includes determining the existence of a content event related to content. The content event is associated with a community. A consumer who is a member of the community is notified of the content event by sending a notification to the consumer. Access to content related to the content event is provided upon request by the consumer.

Abstract: A method of providing offerings to a consumer includes accumulating consumer activity associated with a device on a consumer network. A determination is made whether the consumer activity establishes a pattern corresponding to an offering including a component deliverable to the consumer network over a content distribution network. The consumer is presented with a notification of the offering on a device on the consumer network. The offering is provided to the consumer in response to the consumer requesting the offering using a device on the consumer network.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide notification information of a telephone voicemail message over a computer and/or hybrid communications network. A table of updated voicemail subscriber message information is generated that includes voicemail subscriber identifier information and voice mailbox message status for each respective subscriber. Web-based requests (or alternate communications standards communicating the requests) are received from subscribers for voice mailbox status information. For each request from a subscriber, subscriber-specific data is retrieved from the table and a data communications notification that incorporates the retrieved information is communicated to a voice/data communications device to provide an updated voice mailbox message status.

Abstract: A software platform that supports the delivery of services and personalized content is provided. The software platform interfaces with an edge network and a distribution platform. The edge network is a computer network that distributes servers, routers and storage throughout the network. The software platform augments that physical capabilities of the edge network and provides a number of platform services. The distribution platform is a software platform that provides an interface to the platform services and the edge network.

Abstract: A system for reducing Domain Name System (DNS) lookup traffic in a computer data network includes a router and a cache database associated with the router. The cache database includes at least one hostname and an IP address corresponding to the hostname. The router receives a request for name resolution including a hostname from a client computer. The router compares the hostname with the information in the cache database. If the cache database includes an entry corresponding to the hostname, the router responds to the request by providing an IP address corresponding to the hostname to the client computer. Otherwise, the router forwards the request to a DNS server and receives a response including the IP address corresponding to the hostname from the DNS server. Upon receiving the IP address corresponding to the hostname, the router stores the information in the cache database and sends the IP address to the client computer.