Abstract: A peer group can be established for sharing Web cache data among a set of computing devices through a peer-to-peer network. The Web cache data can be used by each of the computing devices to respond to requests issued over a client-server network from a Web browser running on that computing device. Web cache data can be exchanged among the peers of the peer group via the peer-to-peer network. A client request issued from a Web browser of one of the computing devices can be satisfied using Web cache data obtained from a different one of the computing devices in the peer group. The client request can be a request to one of the Web servers for Web content. The server associated with the request may never provide the Web content responsive to the client request, which is obtained instead from the different one of the computing devices.

Abstract: Provided is a Captcha Access Control System (CACS) for generating an improved captcha that are based, in one described embodiment, upon a command in one format and a response in a different format, one or both of which are rendered in a format that is difficult for an automated system to interpret. A computer system or program to which a user is requesting access generates a textual or audible command. A video device captures the user's response and transmits the response to a response evaluation device. Based upon an analysis of the transmitted video and a comparison between the analyzed video and the command, the computer or program either enables access or denies access.

Abstract: A messaging system comprises a message source, a message receiver and a message service. The message service is intermediate of the message source and message receiver, and a compensation component is established at the message source. A one way message is transmitted from the message source, where the one-way message is part of a plurality of one way messages of an overall business transaction. The message is received at the message service and is transmitted to the message receiver, which processes the received message. The message receiver transmits a communication indicating success or failure of the processing of the message. The system causes compensation logic defined by a compensation component to execute responsive to receiving an indication of a failure of part of the overall business transaction despite the communication from the message receiver indicated that processing of the particular one way message succeeded.

Abstract: A method of handling a message in a messaging system is provided. The messaging system comprises a message source, a message receiver and a message service. The message service is intermediate of the message source and message receiver, wherein a compensation component is established at the message source.

Abstract: A method and system for immediate failure checking for lost message processing comprises receiving a first message of a web-service transaction comprising first message sequence information at a computing device in a transaction environment of a target web service, storing a first record of the first message within the computing device, receiving a subsequent message comprising corresponding message sequence information at the computing device, storing a second record of the subsequent message within the computing device, comparing the first message sequence information with the subsequent message sequence information using the computing device, identifying a transaction error using the computing device, if the subsequent message is not an initial message in a sequence of messages based on the comparing, reporting the transaction error from the computing device, and aborting processing of the web-service transaction if the transaction error has occurred, using the computing device.

Abstract: A peer group can be established for sharing Web cache data among a set of computing devices through a peer-to-peer network. The Web cache data can be used by each of the computing devices to respond to requests issued over a client-server network from a Web browser running on that computing device. Web cache data can be exchanged among the peers of the peer group via the peer-to-peer network. A client request issued from a Web browser of one of the computing devices can be satisfied using Web cache data obtained from a different one of the computing devices in the peer group. The client request can be a request to one of the Web servers for Web content. The server associated with the request may never provide the Web content responsive to the client request, which is obtained instead from the different one of the computing devices.

Abstract: Price guarantee tracking services are an automated method for acquiring price guarantee terms and conditions from retailers and subsequently viewing them. A system for tracking a price guarantee includes a processor; memory operably connected to the processor; a find price guarantee program loaded into the memory and operable by the processor; a parse price guarantee program loaded into the memory and operable by the processor; and a list of price guarantee terms loaded into the memory and operable by the processor.

Abstract: One or more downloads of web content from one or more web content servers are monitored. A swarm is defined including one or more previous downloaders of the web content from the one or more web content servers. The one or more previous downloaders of the web content include one or more web content caches including at least a portion of the web content. Stored web content within the one or more web content caches of the swarm is tracked. A new downloader of the one or more web content servers is redirected to the one or more web content caches of the swarm.

Abstract: A method and system for immediate failure checking for lost message processing comprises receiving a first message of a web-service transaction comprising first message sequence information at a computing device in a transaction environment of a target web service, storing a first record of the first message within the computing device, receiving a subsequent message comprising corresponding message sequence information at the computing device, storing a second record of the subsequent message within the computing device, comparing the first message sequence information with the subsequent message sequence information using the computing device, identifying a transaction error using the computing device, if the subsequent message is not an initial message in a sequence of messages based on the comparing, reporting the transaction error from the computing device, and aborting processing of the web-service transaction if the transaction error has occurred, using the computing device.

Abstract: Provided is a Captcha Access Control System (CACS) for generating an improved captcha that are based, in one described embodiment, upon a command in one format and a response in a different format, one or both of which are rendered in a format that is difficult for an automated system to interpret. A computer system or program to which a user is requesting access generates a textual or audible command. A video device captures the user's response and transmits the response to a response evaluation device. Based upon an analysis of the transmitted video and a comparison between the analyzed video and the command, the computer or program either enables access or denies access.

Abstract: A method of handling a message in a messaging system is provided. The messaging system comprises a message source, a message receiver and a message service.

Abstract: One or more downloads of web content from one or more web content servers are monitored. A swarm is defined including one or more previous downloaders of the web content from the one or more web content servers. The one or more previous downloaders of the web content include one or more web content caches including at least a portion of the web content. Stored web content within the one or more web content caches of the swarm is tracked. A new downloader of the one or more web content servers is redirected to the one or more web content caches of the swarm.

Abstract: Price guarantee tracking services are an automated method for acquiring price guarantee terms and conditions from retailers and subsequently viewing them. A system for tracking a price guarantee includes a processor; memory operably connected to the processor; a find price guarantee program loaded into the memory and operable by the processor; a parse price guarantee program loaded into the memory and operable by the processor; and a list of price guarantee terms loaded into the memory and operable by the processor.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided which allows transparent transaction processing to occur between distributed networks using the AIX or SNA protocols. The present invention will convert between the AIX standard of Two Phase Commit/Presumed Abort (2PC/PA) and the SNA standard of Two Phase Commit/Presume Nothing (2PC/PN). The Presumed Abort Protocol will optimize operations by reducing the number of messages between sites participating in the transaction, and the amount of transaction state information maintained at a site. Thus, any messages needed will be generated and transaction status information will be maintained in order to satisfy a Standard 2PC/PN protocol, when sites within a SNA network are participating in an AIX transaction. Further, the present invention will discard, or ignore any extraneous messages which are received while sites within an AIX network are participating in a SNA transaction.

Abstract: A communication interface is provided for use in a distributed transactional processing environment which allows a program application to be directly written to a resource and provides a communication interface between plural transaction processing systems. The present invention also informs all participating transaction managers of the existence of a transaction and further informs the local transaction manager of all sites which are participating the the transaction. Specific communication protocols are defined which allow any type of communication services to be utilized to provide the communication link. Additionally, the transactional and communication management functions are separated, allowing the communication manager to perform functions previously implemented by the transaction manager.

Abstract: A transactional support system is provided which is capable of enhancing a basic operating system so that a multitude of databases can be simultaneously processed. The transactional support system provides coordination services which designate the boundaries indicating the success or failure of an executed transaction; concurrency services provide a locking mechanism for controlling access to resources and deadlock detection in the event of the imposition mutual locks; and recovery services maintain a log which ensures that the state of the resource is preserved in the event of any failures. Further, enhanced terminal handling and transaction scheduling support the large number of terminals used in a transactional system, by utilizing methods which relieve the resource consumption associated with a large number terminals. These methods include multiple-terminal process support, transaction validation, prioritization, execution queue, action queue and availability.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, providing an interface to an application program for accessing networking functions. The application program interface translates routines requesting networking functions to the operating system commands which contain facilities for accessing networking functions. In addition, the application program interface externalizes the operating system commands for use by the application program in accessing networking functions.

Abstract: A terminal connected to a data communication system and has an output device such as a printer or display and has a memory. The terminal stores the handshaking information received by the terminal from the data communication system as a communication session is established, translates the stored handshaking information into a suitable format for the output device, and supplies the translated data to the output device to inform the operator of the nature of the data communication system.