Abstract: A computer gaming system and method of operation thereof are provided that both drastically reduce the cost of gaming stations and allow contemporaneous access to multiple game programs from a single gaming station. The computer gaming system of the present invention allows for transparent modifications and upgrades to the gaming programs by executing gaming programs on a server/host computer connected to a plurality of client/terminal computers via communication pathways. Each client/terminal computer comprises a client/terminal program that allows input and output streams of the gaming program executed on the server/host computer to be separated and redirected to the client/terminal computers. Since the gaming programs are executed entirely on the server/host computer, with only wagering input and display output operations being executed on the client/terminal computers, the cost of the hardware and software required for each client/terminal computer is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A distributed access controller for controlling access to resources in a multi-domain distributed computing environment. The access controller is configured to receive a request from a user requesting performance of one or more operations on a particular resource. The access controller attempts to resolve the requested operations based on user hierarchy information and access list information for the particular resource. If all the operations in the user's request cannot be resolved based on the user hierarchy information and the access list information for the particular resource, the access controller then attempts to resolve the unresolved operations based on the particular user's user hierarchy information in combination with resource hierarchy information, and access list information for the resources in the resource hierarchy information.

Abstract: Augmenting processing of information objects transferred among processors within a network. Processing is performed by a process, or processor, (called a “robot”) at any point in the network where an information object is transferred, or where the object resides. By allowing processing at source, destination and at “interim” points between the source and destination, the ability to add functionality, services, control and management of objects and object transfers is greatly enhanced. The robots, can reside at any point in the system. A robot can be local to an end-user's computer, can reside on a content source server, or can be on another computer, processor, storage location or device on the network. Any type of processing can be performed by the robots. For example, access rights can be maintained so that certain attributes and values of information objects are restricted on a per user, per machine, chronological or other basis.

Abstract: A clip used to attach a towel to a golf club, (e.g., a putter). The clip has an opening to attach to the golf club, and an opening to attach to the towel. The clip may be mechanically attached to the club, or may use magnets. The towel may be permanently attached to the clip or may be removable. Methods for attaching a towel to a golf club and manufacturing the clip are also provided.

Abstract: A call establishment method for Internet Telephony appliances consisting of two phases. The first phase is a method of notifying the Internet Telephony appliance of the called party that a VoIP call is being attempted. The second phase is for both systems to automatically log on to the Internet and to proceed through the procedure to establish the VoIP call.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a wireless ATM network with high quality of service scheduling are provided. In one embodiment, a wireless ATM network with per-VC scheduling, a virtual framer for periodical, request-less scheduling, and a virtual shaper for request-based scheduling are provided.

Abstract: A computer user interface for handling information objects. The interface allows a user to make a request for information in the form of a one-time query or a persistent query. With the one-time query, the user defines one or more conditions in terms of attributes and values. The appropriate classes of objects are checked and any matching objects are identified as satisfying the query. A persistent query allows such a condition to be active at all times so that when one or more objects are created that satisfy the condition, those objects are identified as meeting the condition. Other features of the user interface allow the user to define objects and publish objects. Objects can be created or edited based on a class whose attributes are inherited. A predefined selection of menu options makes creating, editing and publishing objects simple and efficient. Access controls and settings are provided to control rights to created objects.

Abstract: Information is stored that reflects the existence of relationships between identified parties with respect to use of the digital facility. A predetermined type of interaction of the parties is permitted) via the electronic communication medium with respect to the digital facility if the stored information reflects the existence of relationships between them.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for accessing, viewing and manipulating data stored in a computer system. This is achieved by selecting one or more of the non-modifiable data objects stored in a computer system, creating references to the selected objects and adding the references to a reference list. The reference list is then manipulated to allow a user to add to, remove from or search the references in the reference list. In some embodiments, different operations are performed by different computers connected to a computer network such as the Internet. In such cases, data objects are stored on a server computer and searched by client computers connected to the server computer over the network. A reference list is stored on the client computers and can be directly manipulated by the user without a need for further interaction with the server computer.

Abstract: A method for processing grants in a packet switched network includes the steps of generating a request-less grant for a particular virtual circuit of a subscriber terminal and sending the grant to that virtual circuit of the subscriber terminal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a wireless ATM network with high quality of service scheduling are provided. In one embodiment, a wireless ATM network with per-VC scheduling, a virtual framer for periodical, request-less scheduling, and a virtual shaper for request-based scheduling are provided.

Abstract: Various aspects of the invention provide for the creation, modification, transfer, manipulation, requesting and destruction of information objects in a computer network. Although some aspects of the invention are based on publish-subscribe techniques, many modifications and additional features are provided.

Abstract: A computer system and method of operation thereof are provided that allow interactive navigation and exploration of spatial enviroments, both real and virtual. The computer system employs a data architecture comprising a network of nodes connected by branches. Each node in the network represents an intersection in the real environment that allows a user of the computer system to select which path to follow. Likewise, each branch in the network represents a path connecting physcial intersections in the real environment. The network is constructed directly from a map of the target environment. Navigation data such as image frame sequences, intersections between paths, and other related information are associated with the elements of the network. This establishes a direct relationship between locations in the environment and the data which represent them.

Abstract: An extensible user interface in a system for handling information objects. The extensible interface allows a user to be presented with default interfaces, or viewers, for performing the basic functions of a “data browser” application of the invention. A primary feature of the data browser user interface is to allow requests for information in the form of a one-time query, or a persistent query, on data objects. With the one-time query, the user defines one or more conditions in terms of attributes and values. The appropriate classes of objects are checked and any matching objects are identified as satisfying the query. A persistent query allows such a condition to be active at all times so that when one or more objects are created that satisfy the condition, those objects are identified as meeting the condition. Other features of the user interface allow the user to define objects and publish objects. Objects can be created or edited based on a class whose attributes are inherited.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include methods for identifying clusters in a database, data warehouse or data mart. The identified clusters can be meaningfully understood by a list of the attributes and corresponding values for each of the clusters. Some embodiments of the invention include a method for scalable probabilistic clustering using a decision tree. Some embodiments of the invention, perform linearly in the size of the set of data and only require a single access to the set of data. Some embodiments of the invention produce interpretable clusters that can be described in terms of a set of attributes and attribute values for that set of attributes. In some embodiments, the cluster can be interpreted by reading the attribute values and attributes on the path from the root node of the decision tree to the node of the decision tree corresponding to the cluster. In some embodiments, it is not necessary for there to be a domain specific distance function for the attributes.

Abstract: A computer gaming system and method of operation thereof are provided that both drastically reduce the cost of gaming stations and allow contemporaneous access to multiple game programs from a single gaming station. The computer gaming system of the present invention allows for transparent modifications and upgrades to the gaming programs by executing gaming programs on a server/host computer connected to a plurality of client/terminal computers via communication pathways. Each client/terminal computer comprises a client/terminal program that allows input and output streams of the gaming program executed on the server/host computer to be separated and redirected to the client/terminal computers. Since the gaming programs are executed entirely on the server/host computer, with only wagering input and display output operations being executed on the client/terminal computers, the cost of the hardware and software required for each client/terminal computer is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A method of multiplexing multiple terminals in a distributed network includes transporting user traffic and telephony signaling information. Transporting user traffic includes converting the user traffic into ATM cells, passing the ATM cells over a wireless link to a TDM port in an ATM multiplexer wherein the ATM multiplexer includes an ATM circuit emulation service, and converting the ATM cells into user traffic. Transporting telephony signaling information includes extracting the telephony signaling information from a user interface, passing the telephony signaling information to a base station using an ATM virtual circuit, processing and aggregating a number of telephony signaling information into a single channel, and transmitting the single channel to the ATM multiplexer.

Abstract: A computer system and method of operation thereof are provided that allow interactive navigation and exploration of spatial environments, both real and virtual. The computer system employs a data architecture comprising a network of nodes connected by branches. Each node in the network represents an intersection in the real environment that allows a user of the computer system to select which path to follow. Likewise, each branch in the network represents a path connecting physical intersections in the real environment. The network is constructed directly from a map of the target environment. Navigation data such as image frame sequences, intersections between paths, and other related information are associated with the elements of the network. This establishes a direct relationship between locations in the environment and the data which represent them.

Abstract: An MPEG video decoder adapted to decode an incoming MPEG coded video data stream to form decoded MPEG video data and to reconstruct from the decoded MPEG video data a raw video signal, utilizes: an n×n block of decoded video data discrete cosine transform values forming an original matrix having a non-zero value in a preselected corner location in the matrix; and a modified matrix forming apparatus adapted to form a modified matrix having the same content as the original matrix with the exception of a zero in the preselected corner value position; a dummy matrix forming apparatus adapted to form a dummy matrix having zero in each of its matrix positions with the exception of the preselected corner position; an inverse discrete cosine transform apparatus adapted to perform an inverse discrete cosine transform algorithm on the modified matrix and the dummy matrix; and an adder which adds the inverse discrete cosine transform of the modified matrix and the dummy matrix to produce the inverse discrete cosin

Abstract: A computer system is provided that allows the content of a user's collection of fixed and removable media to be managed without regard to a specific type of media. The computer system performs equally well with files on floppy discs, removable hard-disks such as Iomega Zip, CDDA discs, CD-ROM discs, DVD-ROM discs and recordable or re-writeable variants of CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs.