Abstract: A scanning tool executing on a host computer may be used to scan a server only if the server (or a proxy) first exposes to the host a certificate that, upon processing by the host, indicates that the server may be scanned. The certificate preferably encrypts a scan permission and is made available from a given port on the server (or the proxy). Whenever the host desires to perform a scan of the server, the host searches the port for the certificate. The certificate is then decrypted to determine whether the scan permission exists. If so, the scan then proceeds, in accordance with any conditions set forth in the decrypted scan permission.

Abstract: An architecture for extending the Java security model to allow a user or administrator to grant permissions dynamically. By itself, the Java 2 security model does not allow additions to the collections of policy permissions after they have been loaded from the Java policy file. The inventive architecture allows Java applets and applications to dynamically prompt the user to grant a permission that does not exist in the Java policy file. If the user grants the permission, the present invention grants the permission for the ProtectionDomain to which the class asking for the permission belongs. Attributes for the dynamic permission may be set during runtime and saved across browser sessions.

Abstract: An authentication framework for authenticating clients, each of which is coupled to an authentication device of one of a plurality of permitted authentication device types. An authentication method begins by having a client pass to an application server a request for authentication. The request includes a user id and device id identifying a client and an authentication device coupled thereto. The application server determines which device authentication server the request is intended for, and then forwards authentication data in the request to that server. If the device authentication server verifies that the authentication data is acceptable, an authorization token is returned to the client.

Abstract: A pre-paid card system enables customers to make purchases, calls, and to participate in a survey using an authorized card. The system includes four main functional components: a plurality of cards, a host computer, a plurality of on-site activation terminals and a main processor. Each of the cards having a security number associated therewith. The card is typically formed of cardboard, paper or plastic and may include the security number in cleartext under a suitable blackout. The main management and processing of the system is effected by the host computer. The host includes a database for storing security numbers associated with authorized cards. The data terminals are remote from the host computer and connectable thereto for transmitting data between the terminals and the host computer. The processor is controlled by the host computer for enabling customer purchases using the authorized cards.

Abstract: A system and method for the optimized storage and retrieval of video data at distributed sites calls for the deployment of “Smart Mirror” sites throughout a network, each of which maintains a copy of certain data managed by the system. Every user is assigned to a specific delivery site based on an analysis of network performance with respect to each of the available delivery sites. Generalized network performance data is collected and stored to facilitate the selection of additional delivery sites and to ensure the preservation of improved performance in comparison to traditional networks.

Abstract: An event management service (EMS) of a distributed computing environment includes a filter mechanism for determining whether events generated by one or more event suppliers are communicated to one or more event consumers. Each event consumer that registers for the service also defines an event filter group that determines whether particular events generated by the one or more event suppliers are communicated to that event consumer. The event filter group is derived from one or more predefined event type schemas and/or event header information. Events supplied to the service are applied through a parser of the filter mechanism to control whether and where a particular event is routed.

Abstract: A persistent object service (POS) that interfaces to a set of one or more relational database management systems. A persistent object is mapped to one or more tables in a relational database based on the object's attribute types and the object's relationships with other objects. If the object inherits from another object, the mapping creates multiple tables, a top level table for base attributes, and a set of one or more child tables that contain extended attributes of the inherited objects. A routine for storing an object converts persistent object operations to a sequence of SQL statements for storing the object in the relational database.

Abstract: A remote-controlled vacuum cleaner comprises a vacuum cleaner vehicle designed to be positioned and moved in any direction relative to a surface (e.g., a carpet) to be cleaned, and a handheld remote control device including a control element (e.g., a joystick, a roller ball, or the like) and a transmitter for sending control signals to electronic motor drive circuits in the vehicle. According to the invention, the handheld remote control device preferably is controlled by a processor and includes a display (e.g., a video monitor) for displaying images from one or more cameras located on or within the vacuum cleaner vehicle. The vacuum cleaner vehicle preferably includes a misting device in which cleaning solution is stored. The misting device includes a nozzle for misting the cleaning solution onto the surface to be cleaned, preferably prior to the vacuuming operation. The vacuum cleaner vehicle preferably also includes a dryer mechanism (e.g.

Abstract: A method of composing and displaying unique error messages is operative in a computer system having an error message subsystem. The error message subsystem is driven by non-contextual information, e.g., a set of previous error conditions, together with a current error condition. If the current error condition has the non-contextual information associated therewith, an error message is composed that is a function of the current error condition and the non-contextual information. Driving the error message subsystem in this manner provides a more robust and useful error messaging service.

Abstract: A system and method for the selection and retrieval of various types of video data from distributed delivery sites calls for the deployment of “Smart Mirror” sites throughout a network, each of which maintains a copy of certain data managed by the system. Each “Smart Mirror” site maintains copies of the data in several alternative file formats. Every user is assigned to a specific delivery site based on an analysis of network performance with respect to each of the available delivery sites. Generalized network performance data is collected and stored to facilitate the selection of additional delivery sites and to ensure the preservation of improved performance in comparison to traditional networks. The appropriate file format is automatically selected based on the capabilities of a user terminal making a request for data.

Abstract: A method for transcoding an input stream to a desired output format using a transcoder framework. In response to a given transcoder of the framework recognizing an external reference that it cannot transcode, the method calls a subseries of specialized transcoders to transcode the external reference. After the subseries of specialized transcoders generates a transcoded external reference, that reference is returned back to the given transcoder, where it is incorporated into the transcoder's output. Transcoder sub-chains are used in this manner as modular, building blocks in the transcoder framework.

Abstract: One or more searchable repositories of bookmark sets are stored in a computer system, each bookmark set can be downloaded to a client browser as a unit. Each bookmark set contains a set of Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) and is associated with related information such as a set of keywords, one or more topics and user specific information. The bookmark set is downloadable as a unit to the client browser. When a search query from a client containing a set of keywords is received, the stored bookmark sets are searched for one or more bookmark sets associated with at least one keyword matching a keyword from the search query. A list of bookmark sets which satisfy the query, i.e. are associated with matching keywords, are returned to the client browser. Responsive to a request for downloading a selected bookmark set, the selected bookmark is served to the client. The selected bookmark set is received and used by the client browser to access the set of URLs in the selected bookmark set.

Abstract: A monitor located between a Web browser and a server upon which a server application is running. The monitor is useful for recording a set of URLs (sometimes referred to as a “request list”) that issue from the Web browser during a sample interactive session between the user of the client machine and the server application. The URL request list trace or session “workload” may then be used to benchmark the server application by supplying the information as an input to a set of HTTP submitter routines. Each HTTP submitter routine simulates a particular user of a client machine connected to the server application. Each routine then “replays” the interactive session recorded by the monitor so that the overall performance of the server application against “multiple” simulated users may be evaluated.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product to facilitate royalty collection with respect to online distribution of electronically published material over a computer network. In one embodiment, a method for managing use of a digital file (that includes content subject to copyright protection on behalf of some content provider) begins by establishing a count of a number of permitted copies of the digital file. In response to a given protocol, a copy of the digital file is then selectively transferred from a source to a target. Thus, for example, the source and target may be located on the same computer with the source being a disk storage device and the target being a rendering device (e.g., a printer, a display, a sound card or the like). The method logs an indication each time the digital file is transferred from the source to a target rendering device, and the count is decremented upon each transfer. When the count reaches a given value (e.g.

Abstract: A scheduling method operative in association with a display device of a data processing system connected in a distributed computing environment having nodes located across geographically-dispersed boundaries. The method begins by defining a set of holiday objects corresponding to a set of holidays specific to a given locale. The calendar, together with at least one holiday defined by at least one of the set of holiday objects, are then selectively displayed. A management task (e.g., a software load distribution) is then initiated to take place during a given holiday in the locale to minimize disruption to the computer enterprise.

Abstract: The objects of the invention are provided using a method for horizontal drilling in which a shoe having an elbow-shaped cavity therein is lowered to a selected point. An explosive charge is placed at the far end of the shoe adjacent to the well casing. Impact transferring means are positioned between the explosive charge and the vertical portion of the well above the shoe. An impact is struck on the surface of the transfer means to cause an impact-type detonator to discharge, causing the explosive charge to discharge. This perforates the casing of the well at the tip of the shoe. The shoe and the tubing above it are then cleared and a hydraulic drilling device is inserted into the shoe. The shoe guides the hydraulic drilling device into place and high pressure liquid is pumped through the hydraulic device which extends through the perforation in the well casing into the earth's strata.

Abstract: A method of dynamically generating a Web page at a Web server in response to an HTTP request from a Web client in a computer network. The Web page has a hypertext reference identifying a linked page supported on each of a set of other servers in the computer network. In response to the request, a given one of the set of other servers is identified based on some given criteria, e.g., shortest access time, lightest current load, or the like. Information identifying a path to the identified other server is then inserted into the hypertext reference as the Web page (including the hypertext reference) is returned to the Web client in response to the request. Thus, if the hypertext reference is later activated by the user browsing the returned Web page, the linked page is preferentially served from the identified other server.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a display of a data processing system uses first and second wireless position control devices, and a control base unit. The first wireless position control device includes a transducer for transmitting a first signal upon which X-Y position control and/or action control signals generated by the device are imposed. A second wireless position control device includes a transducer for transmitting a second signal upon which X-Y position control and/or other action control signals generated by the second control device are imposed. The first and second signals and second different frequencies. To prevent the control devices from interfering with each other, the control base is associated with the data processing system and includes circuitry for issuing polling signals to the control devices. Only one of the control devices is polled at a particular time. The control base circuitry also receives and decodes the carrier signals to generate decoded display control signals.

Abstract: One or more searchable repositories of bookmark sets are stored in a computer system, each bookmark set can be downloaded to a client browser as a unit. Each bookmark set contains a set of Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) and is associated with related information such as a set of keywords, one or more topics and user specific information. The bookmark set is downloadable as a unit to the client browser. When a search query from a client containing a set of keywords is received, the stored bookmark sets are searched for one or more bookmark sets associated with at least one keyword matching a keyword from the search query. A list of bookmark sets which satisfy the query, i.e. are associated with matching keywords, are returned to the client browser. Responsive to a request for downloading a selected bookmark set, the selected bookmark is served to the client. The selected bookmark set is received and used by the client browser to access the set of URLs in the selected bookmark set.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vacation and holiday scheduling system. The system includes a variety of objects to assist a business in controlling and managing the scheduling of vacations by their employees and for assisting the employees in bidding on vacation days and holidays based upon employee seniority.