Abstract: Methods are disclosed for controlling mobile computing devices such as laptops, PDAs and cellular telephones, based on their location. A mobile computing device may include a software-rendered map of defined geographic regions, location handlers for defining behavior of a mobile device in a given geographic region, and a location handling engine for determining when a new geographic zone has been entered and exited, and for executing and terminating location handlers accordingly.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for seamlessly updating connection parameters that allow a communications device of a host machine to connect to a Wireless Wide Area Network. Users are allowed to edit certain parameters, and these changes are stored in persistent storage along with a unique identifier for the set that was edited. At connection time, the user's edits override the defaults pre-provisioned by the network operator and stored on the device. The operator can also remotely edit the parameters, after which the user's changes are overwritten with the new defaults. Thus, the invention is capable of seamlessly handling updates to the connection parameters by both the user and the network operator.

Abstract: A map-reduce compatible distributed file system that consists of successive component layers that each provide the basis on which the next layer is built provides transactional read-write-update semantics with file chunk replication and huge file-create rates. Containers provide the fundamental basis for data replication, relocation, and transactional updates. A container location database allows containers to be found among all file servers, as well as defining precedence among replicas of containers to organize transactional updates of container contents. Volumes facilitate control of data placement, creation of snapshots and mirrors, and retention of a variety of control and policy information. Also addressed is the use of distributed transactions in a map-reduce system; the use of local and distributed snapshots; replication, including techniques for reconciling the divergence of replicated data after a crash; and mirroring.

Abstract: A map-reduce compatible distributed file system that consists of successive component layers that each provide the basis on which the next layer is built provides transactional read-write-update semantics with file chunk replication and huge file-create rates. A primitive storage layer (storage pools) knits together raw block stores and provides a storage mechanism for containers and transaction logs. Storage pools are manipulated by individual file servers. Containers provide the fundamental basis for data replication, relocation, and transactional updates. A container location database allows containers to be found among all file servers, as well as defining precedence among replicas of containers to organize transactional updates of container contents. Volumes facilitate control of data placement, creation of snapshots and mirrors, and retention of a variety of control and policy information.

Abstract: Web services may be provided by creating an electronic record of a contract for a service provider to provide web services meeting a web service category definition at a web services hub of a service domain, and providing a web service to a service requestor from the service domain responsive to the electronic record of the contract. A plurality of ports operative to provide web services meeting the service category definition may be identified at the web service hub, and the web service may be provided to the service requester responsive to identification of the ports. For example, a plurality of ports may be identified by polling at least one web services node subordinate to the web services hub to identify at least one service provided by the node, and updating a description of a service category, e.g., a WSDL document, responsive to the polling. A plurality of levels of web services nodes may be polled using a coordinated polling interval scheme to create an updated service view for the service hub.

Abstract: The present invention is a checkpoint processor configured for coupling to individual Web services through a Web services engine. The checkpoint processor can include checkpoint logic programmed to store checkpoint data for the individual Web service instance invocations. The checkpoint processor further can include restart logic programmed to restore the stored checkpoint data to a replacement for failed ones of the individual Web service instance invocations. Finally, the checkpoint processor can include cleanup logic programmed to removed the stored checkpoint data for concluded, non-failed ones of the individual Web service instance invocations. Notably, in a preferred aspect of the invention, logic can be included for identifying an asynchronous correlator for each one of the individual Web service instance invocations and for storing the asynchronous correlator in association with corresponding ones of the stored checkpoint data.

Abstract: Network connection information is requested by a wireless wide area network device via the internet. Such information may include configuration information, data roaming partner information, and/or cost information regarding roaming partner connection and/or a subscriber plan related to the wireless wide area network. To retrieve the information, the wireless device sends a request to a redirection server, which in turn provides an internet address for a provisioning server, or instructs a provisioning server to provide the network configuration information to the wireless device. A user and/or the wireless device may use the network connection information when deciding whether and/or how to connect to the network. A network provider may use methods disclosed herein to efficiently update wireless devices that subscribe to the network. The network provider may provide selected network connection information based on information regarding the wireless device, such as the user identification.

Abstract: Dynamic inter-operability of nodes in services grids can be provided. In some cases, different version service nodes in a service grid can communicate using an inter-operability service to, for example, convert messages from one format associated with a version of a service node to another format associated with another version of a service node. Also, the message format may be converted from a current (e.g., newer) version of a node to another format which is compatible with an older version of a service node. The inter-operability service can be provided as a web service that is separate from the service nodes in the grid. The inter-operability service is associated with at least one of the service nodes in the grid and is available thereto via, for example, an administrative call by the associated service node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supporting data connectivity with a roaming partner when a communication device is outside a service provider's range of coverage is provided. In one aspect, a user can select and store a roaming partner that is capable of data communication. While roaming, the communication device will display the data-roaming partners that are currently available within the communication range of the device and the user can choose one of these data-roaming partners and store the data-roaming partner information in memory. Upon re-entering the region within communication range of that roaming partner, the device can communicate with the roaming partner of choice rather than the roaming partner ordinarily selected by the device as a default.

Abstract: Dynamic inter-operability of nodes in services grids can be provided. In some cases, different version service nodes in a service grid can communicate using an inter-operability service to, for example, convert messages from one format associated with a version of a service node to another format associated with another version of a service node. Also, the message format may be converted from a current (e.g., newer) version of a node to another format which is compatible with an older version of a service node. The inter-operability service can be provided as a web service that is separate from the service nodes in the grid. The inter-operability service is associated with at least one of the service nodes in the grid and is available thereto via, for example, an administrative call by the associated service node.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for seamlessly updating connection parameters that allow a communications device of a host machine to connect to a Wireless Wide Area Network. Users are allowed to edit certain parameters, and these changes are stored in persistent storage along with a unique identifier for the set that was edited. At connection time, the user's edits override the defaults pre-provisioned by the network operator and stored on the device. The operator can also remotely edit the parameters, after which the user's changes are overwritten with the new defaults. Thus, the invention is capable of seamlessly handling updates to the connection parameters by both the user and the network operator.

Abstract: Dynamic inter-operability of nodes in services grids can be provided. In some cases, different version service nodes in a service grid can communicate using an inter-operability service to, for example, convert messages from one format associated with a version of a service node to another format associated with another version of a service node. Also, the message format may be converted from a current (e.g., newer) version of a node to another format which is compatible with an older version of a service node. The inter-operability service can be provided as a web service that is separate from the service nodes in the grid. The inter-operability service is associated with at least one of the service nodes in the grid and is available thereto via, for example, an administrative call by the associated service node.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for controlling mobile computing devices such as laptops, PDAs and cellular telephones, based on their location. A mobile computing device may include a software-rendered map of defined geographic regions, location handlers for defining behavior of a mobile device in a given geographic region, and a location handling engine for determining when a new geographic zone has been entered and exited, and for executing and terminating location handlers accordingly.

Abstract: A method for conferencing may include monitoring a status of participants in a conference and recording the conference in response to at least one participant being disconnected or exiting the conference. Another embodiment of the present invention may also include transmitting a re-invite signal to any participant that is disconnected or exits the conference in response to the participant being reconnectable or transmitting a request to rejoin the conference. A further embodiment of the present invention may include replaying a recording of the conference from a disconnect or exit time to a present time for each participant, that is involuntarily disconnected or exits the conference and communicates an indication of an intent to return, in response to a rejoining participant rejoining the conference.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, service, and computer program product for identifying incorrect domain name to IP address mappings. The method comprises: providing a domain name and a valid IP address for the domain name to a plurality of nodes; and at each node: performing a local domain name system (DNS) lookup for the domain name; determining if an IP address returned by the local DNS lookup comprises the valid IP address for the domain name; and providing a notification that an invalid IP address was returned for the domain name if the IP address returned by the local DNS lookup does not comprise the valid IP address for the domain name.

Abstract: A method for conferencing may include monitoring a status of participants in a conference and recording the conference in response to at least one participant being disconnected or exiting the conference. Another embodiment of the present invention may also include transmitting a re-invite signal to any participant that is disconnected or exits the conference in response to the participant being reconnectable or transmitting a request to rejoin the conference. A further embodiment of the present invention may include replaying a recording of the conference from a disconnect or exit time to a present time for each participant, that is involuntarily disconnected or exits the conference and communicates an indication of an intent to return, in response to a rejoining participant rejoining the conference.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for tagging the seen/not-seen status of an instant message. A method for tagging a seen/not-seen status of a real time message can include receiving a real time message and presenting the real time message through a real time communications client disposed in a host client computing device. The environmental characteristics of the host client computing device can be inspected to determine whether the real time message has likely been reviewed. As such, if it is determined that the real time message has likely been reviewed based upon the inspected environmental characteristics, the real time message can be tagged as seen.

Abstract: A requesting service node message can be transmitted from a requesting service node in a service grid directed to a destination service node in the service grid, the requesting service node message having a requesting service node message format associated with a version of the requesting service node. The requesting service node message can be received at an inter-operability service in the requesting service node message format. A destination service node message format can be determined for the requesting service node message based on a version of the destination service node. Related systems and computer program products are also disclosed.

Abstract: Operational rules are transmitted from a first service node that receives a request for service to a second service node that is configured to apply the operational rule to requests for service in response to the request. For example, operational rules can be propagated from a primary node to a secondary node that operates responsive to the primary node, wherein the operational rule defines how the secondary node is to process the request for service from the primary node. Furthermore, the operational rules provided by the primary node can be propagated in a hierarchical fashion throughout the grid to other nodes.

Abstract: The present invention is a checkpoint processor configured for coupling to individual Web services through a Web services engine. The checkpoint processor can include checkpoint logic programmed to store checkpoint data for the individual Web service instance invocations. The checkpoint processor further can include restart logic programmed to restore the stored checkpoint data to a replacement for failed ones of the individual Web service instance invocations. Finally, the checkpoint processor can include cleanup logic programmed to removed the stored checkpoint data for concluded, non-failed ones of the individual Web service instance invocations. Notably, in a preferred aspect of the invention, logic can be included for identifying an asynchronous correlator for each one of the individual Web service instance invocations and for storing the asynchronous correlator in association with corresponding ones of the stored checkpoint data.