Abstract: A method and system for “selective” tunneling of streaming data from a server to a client in a computer network having one or more network segments. The server has a tunneler utility, and the client has a receiver utility. The receiver utility first attempts to detect if a given data stream is available via IP multicast on the network segment supporting the client. If not, then the receiver utility issues a request for a IP unicast stream. This request is serviced by the tunneler utility. The tunneler utility re-broadcasts the IP multicast feed using IP unicast to send the data stream directly to the requesting user and/or to a repeater utility. The receiver utility then receives and processes the data stream for output to the end user. Alternatively, the receiver application, or a network administrator, launches the repeater utility, which then converts the IP unicast stream back to IP multicast format for re-broadcast over the network segment to other clients.

Abstract: A method of validating a request to access a target server in a computer network having an open, trusted database. The method begins when a request to access the target server is received at a host from which the scheme is supported. In response, a query is initiated to the trusted database to identify a technical, administrative or other contact person that may authorize the access request. In the Internet, the trusted database may be the WHOIS database that includes second level domain name information. A second query (e.g., an e-mail) is then launched to the identified contact. The e-mail preferably includes a URL and a key. The URL identifies a response Web page interface that is accessible upon entry of the key. If the identified contact accesses the Web page interface, he or she may then authorize the access request, deny the access request, or indicate under what conditions the request may occur.

Abstract: A navigation system, preferably for use in a vehicle. The system includes a processor, and a graphical display for displaying map information. As the vehicle approaches a given location, e.g., an intersection, a visual image of the location is retrieved and displayed on the graphical display. In one embodiment, the visual image is a photograph of the location that is displayed in a pop-up window on the display screen. If desired, additional graphic images or text are superimposed on or associated with the image to facilitate navigation. Thus, for example, if the user were approaching an intersection, the invention displays a still photograph of the intersection, together with an arrow overlaid thereupon to illustrate that the user should make a given turn.

Abstract: A single sign-on (SSO) mechanism to enable a given user to access a target application on a target resource in a distributed computer enterprise. One or more configuration directives each identifying a given logon process and any associated methods required to access the target application on the target resource are stored in a preferably global-accessible database (CIM). For each of a set of users, a preferably global-accessible database (PKM) stores user-specific and application-specific information enabling the user to access and logon to one or more target resources. During a particular session, a logon coordinator (LC) mechanism coordinates given user information with the configuration directive to enable the given user to perform a given action with respect to the target application without specifying the given logon process and the application-specific information.

Abstract: A collapsible storage device for use in a pickup truck bed including a rear panel; a lower panel hingeably mounted to a lower edge of the rear panel at a first edge; a first side panel hingeably mounted to a first side edge of the rear panel at a first edge; a second side panel hingeably mounted to a first side edge of the rear panel at a first edge; a first compression mounting mounted to the face of the first side panel such that the first compression mounting is compressed between the first side panel and a first sidewall of the pickup truck bed when the first side panel is in an open position; a second compression mounting mounted to the face of the second side panel such that the second compression mounting is compressed between the second side panel and a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall of the pickup truck bed when the second side panel is in an open position; a top panel hingeably mounted to a top edge of the rear panel at a first edge, the top panel resting on a top edge of the first and s

Abstract: A method of copying a Web page presented for display on a browser of a Web client. The Web page comprises a base HTML document and a plurality of hypertext references, one or more of which may be associated with embedded objects (such as image files). The operation begins by copying the base HTML document to the client local storage and establishing a pointer to the copied document. A first linked list of the hypertext references in the base document is then generated. Thereafter, and for each hypertext reference in the first linked list, the following operations are performed. If the hypertext reference refers to an embedded object in the base HTML document, the embedded object is saved on the client local storage and the file name of the saved embedded object is stored (as a fully-qualified URL) in a second linked list. If the hypertext reference does not refer to an embedded object in the base HTML document, the fully-qualified URL of the hypertext reference is stored in the second linked list.

Abstract: A method of executing Common Gateway Interface (CGI) programs in a computer network having a Web client and a Web server, the server connectable to a secure distributed file system of a distributed computing environment. If a Web client user request requires CGI processing, the requested CGI program is run in a new process spawned from the Web server thread and executing within the context of the temporary user identity set up with the proper DCE credentials. This function is effected by saving the name and path of the user-requested CGI program and then substituting the name and path of an encapsulation CGI program. The encapsulation CGI program starts the user-requested CGI program in a new process (i.e. a desktop) within the context of the temporary user identity (having proper DCE credentials). The encapsulation program thus ensures that the CGI program being executed cannot harm the default Web server desktop.

Abstract: All information required for sending a business form mailer to a recipient, a preconstructable return envelope and a return data receipt are printed on a single side of a Z-foldable form.

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 an acoustical transducer for transmitting a first ultrasonic carrier 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 and acoustical transducer for transmitting a second ultrasonic carrier 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 ultrasonic carrier signals have different frequencies. The control base is associated with the data processing system and includes circuitry for receiving and differentiating the first and second ultrasonic carrier signals to generate decoded display control signals. The display control signals are then used to drive the display device.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for automated technical support in a computer network having a client machine and at least one server. The method begins by selecting a diagnostic map useful in gathering diagnostic data for evaluating a given technical problem requiring diagnosis and correction. The diagnostic map encapsulates a set of one or more methods that, upon execution, explore the client machine and gather data. The diagnostic map is then executed by a diagnostic engine to generate a data set indicative of a current operating state of the client machine. This data set is forwarded from the client machine to the server for analysis. Based on the analysis performed at the server node, the data gathering process is repeated at the client machine, iteratively, until given information is available to a user of the client machine to correct the given technical problem.

Abstract: A display method operative within 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 plurality of sets of holiday objects each corresponding to a set of holidays specific to a given locale. A graphical representation of a calendar, together with a set of holiday objects, are then displayed. If the user enters a new locale, the method dynamically switches between sets of holiday objects according to the new locale entered. The new set of holiday objects preferably are displayed on the same calendar yet in a different manner from the first set to enable a user to compare the holidays of two different locales.

Abstract: One or more policies are implemented at a Web browser to enhance access to Web servers that host content requested by the browser. When the browser issues a request, a name service returns a list of IP addresses that may service that request. The list is configured as "random" or "ordered" according to a given naming convention or other local policy, and IP addresses are selected from the list at random or in order (as the case may be) until a connection to an appropriate server is obtained. The browser remembers (for a given time period) which IP addresses have failed so that those addresses are not repeatedly tried. The browser's "timeout" period is also selectively varied depending on the type of list returned from the name service.

Abstract: A fish and marine mammal aquatic observatory. The observatory comprises an outer cylindrical wall and an inner cylindrical wall that define an enclosed annular volume. The inner cylindrical wall is formed of a transparent material, e.g., glass or reinforced plastic. The enclosed annular volume is partially filled with a body of sea water that includes fish and marine mammal animals and other aquatic plants. The observatory further includes a carousel or platform supported on a tower located along a longitudinal axis of the observatory. An outer diameter of the carousel substantially abuts the inner cylindrical wall of the observatory. The carousel is accessible to participants when located at a first or upper position above the enclosed annular volume of water. A lift mechanism moves the carousel from the first, upper position to a second, lower position within the enclosed annular volume of water.

Abstract: A deconcentrating optic has an input aperture positioned near a point of minimum focus of a reflector, and has an output aperture which is larger than the input aperture. An inner surface connects the two apertures of the optic. The surface is reflective to visible light, and is shaped to decrease the angles of incident light rays from the reflector so that an emerging light beam is bounded by a cone the angle of which is less than or equal to the acceptance cone of a projection lens. The size and shape of the output beam is such that the object lying in the projection plane of the lens is fully illuminated but not overfilled. The inner surface of the reflecting optic may be selectively perturbed so that the object plane of the projection lens is uniformly illuminated. The general shape of the reflecting optic's inner surface may be parabolic, elliptical, hyperbolic, circular, conical, or combinations of these shapes.

Abstract: A method of managing connection requests from an application supported on a client. The client has a modem connectable to at least one server via a dialup computer network. According to the method, a list is maintained of the local Internet Protocol (IP) addresses assigned as modem connections are established to the dialup computer network during a session. The list is preferably in Last In, First Out (LIFO) order and includes a latest IP address as the last entry and one or more stale IP addresses. In response to a connection request associated with a stale IP address, the stale IP address is mapped to the latest IP address. The connection request is then redirected using the latest IP address. Preferably, client supports a proxy server which services the connection request locally if possible to avoid network traffic.

Abstract: A method of managing a plurality of client machine "Web agents" vying for a resource in a computer network having a central authority. The resource may be a limited number of telephone connections in a dialup telephone network. At each client machine, a map of available agent start times is generated based on resource usage statistics and given scheduling criteria distributed by the central authority. Using this information, an available agent start time is selected at random from the map. This start time is then set as a "regular" start time at which the particular agent initiates some agent activity on behalf of a user of the client machine. If, however, the client machine is unable to obtain access to the resource according to a given criteria, the map of available agent start times is then regenerated to enable the agent associated with the client machine to reschedule itself to a new start time for the agent activity.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in an advanced intelligent network (AIN) having a service control point (SCP) . The apparatus includes a number of functional components "abstracted" into a control hierarchy including a rules engine, one or more enhanced service applications, one or more intelligent peripheral controllers, and a set of intelligent peripheral adapters. The rules engine supports one or more rules for use in provisioning an enhanced service according to the enhanced service application. Each enhanced service (ES) application translates each rule required by the application into a set of one or more application level service primitives for its associated IPC. The IPC, in turn, translates each application level service primitive into a set of directives to control each intelligent peripheral adapter (IPA) connected to the IPC. At the lowest level of the hierarchy, an IPA translates each IPA directive into actual hardware instructions for controlling a particular switch or resource.

Abstract: A display method operative within 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 plurality of sets of holiday objects each corresponding to a set of holidays specific to a given locale. A graphical representation of a calendar, together with a set of holiday objects, are then displayed. If the user enters a new locale, the method dynamically switches between sets of holiday objects according to the new locale entered. The new set of holiday objects may be displayed on the same calendar, or on a new calendar.