Abstract: A method and system for detecting dissolve transitions in a digital video signal made up of a series of video images is disclosed. In accordance with the method of the invention, a plurality of the video images are segmented into a number of cells wherein each cell comprises a number of pixels each having a pixel intensity value representing the intensity of the pixel. A plurality of cell contrast vectors each associated with one of the segmented video images is generated. Each element of the cell contrast vector is associated with one of the cells and comprises the standard deviation of the pixel intensity values for the pixels in that cell. A dissolve is detected for a video image in response to the cell contrast vector for that image.

Abstract: A system (10) is provided for monitoring services or products. The system (10) includes an interface (12, 18) which can receive criteria information (14) specifying an unacceptable level for services or products. The interface (12, 18) can also receive services or products information (20) relating to the services or products. A database (16), which is coupled to the interface (12, 18), stores the criteria information (14). A processor (22, 27) is coupled to the database (16) and the interface (12, 18). The processor (22, 27) can identify non-random patterns in a predefined danger zone in order to determine when the services or products are approaching the unacceptable level specified in the criteria information (14), thereby monitoring the services or products.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for distributing an electronic publication. The invention allows the distribution of customized publications, including customized advertising, customized content, or both. In accordance with the method for distributing an electronic publication, a version of an electronic publication is retrieved from storage. The electronic publication is delivered to the consumer by electronically sending the electronic publication to the consumer's electronic mail address with a return receipt requested. A receipt is then generated in response to the retrieval of the electronic publication from the consumer's electronic mailbox.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for obtaining network information in a computer network. The invention allows application programs to obtain computer network information using programming language independent dynamic link library functions. The method of the invention comprises generating a call to a dynamic link library function from an application program running on a client computer in a computer network. The call requests some information about the computer network and that information is resident on a server computer. A dynamic link library function interprets the call and generates a network application program interface call. After receiving network information in response to the network application program interface call, the dynamic link library function processes the network information and returns the processed information to the application program.

Abstract: A method for loading a software application for use at a client node (24, 30) of a network (12, 14) includes activating a program loader system (48) at the client node (24, 30). A user-specific software application setup file (56) is then transmitted from a file server (22, 28) to the client node (24, 30).

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for allowing remote procedure calls through a network firewall. In accordance with an embodiment of the method of the invention, a request is received from an application server to allow remote procedure calls to pass through a firewall. The request is processed to determine whether the application server is authorized to receive remote procedure calls that have passed through the firewall. If the application server was authorized, then an identification of the application server is placed in a filter table associated with the firewall and remote procedure calls are allowed to pass through the firewall to the application server if the identification of that application server appears in the filter table.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for automated reconfiguration of a client computer or user profile in a computer network. The invention allows a user to automatically reconfigure a client computer or user profile using computer software running on the client computer. The method of the invention comprises presenting a user of the client computer with a number of reconfiguration options using a user interface. The user may then select one or more of the reconfiguration options using the user interface. After receiving the user's input, a script is executed corresponding to the user's selection wherein the script causes a reconfiguration of the client computer or user profile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for interacting with a computer reservation system. A client computer (12) generates commands in response to user input. A server computer (14) receives the commands and generates requests to a computer reservation system through application program interfaces responsive to the commands. After receiving sets of reservation data from the computer reservation system in response to the requests, the received data is normalized and selected portions are returned to the client computer (12).

Abstract: A method and system for detecting transitional markers such as uniform images in a digital video signal made up of a series of video images is disclosed. One aspect of the invention is a method for detecting uniform fields. The method comprises segmenting a plurality of the video images into a number of cells, each cell comprising a number of pixels, each pixel associated with an intensity value representing the intensity of the pixel. Then, a plurality of cell contrast vectors each associated with one of the segmented video images is generated. Each element of the cell contrast vector is associated with one of the cells of the video image and comprises the standard deviation of the pixel intensity values for the pixels in that cell. A uniform image is detected for a video image in response to the cell contrast vector for that image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting cuts in a digital video signal made up of a series of video images is disclosed. The method comprises segmenting a plurality of the video images into a number of cells, each comprised of a number of pixels having a pixel intensity value. Then, a plurality of cell contrast vectors each associated with one of the segmented video images is generated. An element of the cell contrast vector comprises the standard deviation of the pixel intensity values for the pixels in a particular cell. A cut detect signal is generated for a video image in response to the cell contrast vector associated with that image.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for achieving delegation in a class-based object oriented language. In accordance with the method of the invention, a message is received with a first object, the message including a first target parameter. The first object then generates a "self" message in response to the first message and sends the "self" message to the object identified by the first target parameter.