Abstract: Methods and systems for handling requests received from a client for information stored on a server. In general, when a request for information is received, cache functions are bypassed or executed based on whether an execution of cache functions in an attempt to access the information from cache is likely to slow processing of a request for the information without at least some compensating reduction in processing time for a request for the information received at a later time. Also described is receiving information that identifies the location of a resource within a domain and selecting a cache based on the information that identifies the location of the resource within the domain.

Abstract: A Methods of interfacing and interacting on a network having a central computer system and a plurality of telephone line-connected remote computer systems is provided, each remote computer system including a video display. The network methods include the means for and steps of creating a first visual representation of a first user on the visual display of the first computer system and a second visual representation of a second user on the visual display of the second computer system. The second visual representation is then displayed on the visual display of the first computer system and the first visual representation is displayed on the video display of the second computer system. The network and method allow an application program e.g. a video game in which a first player's selected visual representation, interest, skill levels and personal characteristics may be accessed by another player who is invited to play with the first to be employed by at least two primary users.

Abstract: Communicating with and/or monitoring of a targeted used in computer-network environment (e.g., an instant messaging system) involves detecting that the targeted user has signed on to the network, and upon detecting the signon, automatically communicating with the targeted user, for example, by sending an instant message previously specified by a targeting user. Alternatively, or in addition, the targeting user can receive notification that the targeted user has signed on and/or that the instant message has been sent. Instead of, or in addition to, automatically sending an instant message and/or notifying the targeting user, a predefined operation specified by the targeting user (e.g., operating system command, script or executable file) can be performed. These various operations can be performed on one or more client systems, on one or more server systems, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for forwarding information regarding a called party to a third party, for a call originated from a calling party to the called party. The information may comprise a telephone number of the called party and the call may be forwarded along with the information, so that the third party can provide a telephone service (e.g., centralized voice mail). At a telephone switch coupled to the third party, the forwarded call is received with the identifying information via a first signaling protocol (e.g., SS7). A second signaling protocol (e.g., SMDI, ISDN PRI) is used between the switch and the third party. The identifying information is retrieved from one field of the first protocol and stored in a different field of the second protocol.

Abstract: A method and search engine for classifying a source publishing a document on a portion of a network, includes steps of electronically receiving a document, based on the document, determining a source which published the document, and assigning a code to the document based on whether data associated with the document published by the source matches with data contained in a database. An intelligent geographic- and business topic-specific resource discovery system facilitates local commerce on the World-Wide Web and also reduces search time by accurately isolating information for end-users. Distinguishing and classifying business pages on the Web by business categories using Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes is achieved through an automatic iterative process.

Abstract: A real time notification system that tracks, for each user, the logon status of selected co-users of an on-line or network system and displays that information in real time to the tracking user in a unique graphical interface. The invention provides user definable on-line co-user lists, or “buddy lists”, that track specific co-users in real-time automatically. A user can create many separate buddy lists of co-users, either with intersecting or disjoint lists of users, and label these buddy lists according to the user's preference. The user can update a buddy list or create new buddy lists whenever necessary. When a user logs on to a system, the user's set of buddy lists is presented to the buddy list system. The buddy list system attempts to match co-users currently logged into the system with the entries on the user's buddy list. Any matches are displayed to the user. As co-users logon and logoff, a user's buddy list is updated to reflect these changes.

Abstract: Representing an image includes extracting several types of information about an image that are then used to compute a joint histogram. A weighting factor may be applied to at least one of the types of information extracted about the image such that the joint histogram represents a weighted joint histogram. Representing an image may further include calculating a posterized joint histogram. The posterized joint histogram may be calculated after the weighting factor has been applied.

Abstract: A reduced keyboard system for the Japanese language which uses word-level disambiguation of entered keystroke sequences, and which enables the user to select the desired interpretation of an ambiguous input key sequence as kana, and then select the desired textual interpretation associated with the selected kana interpretation. The system uses a highly compressed database format which has several advantages in terms of reduced size and minimal processing requirements during operation. Also disclosed is a reduced keyboard system which uses sequences of two keystrokes to specify each syllable, including the syllables with palatalized vowels that are written with two kana each. Input sequences of keystrokes are interpreted as ordered pairs of keystrokes which select a character according to its position in a two-dimensional matrix. The first keystroke of each ordered pair specifies the row of the matrix in which the desired character appears, and the second keystroke of each pair specifies the column.

Abstract: A mechanism for seamlessly searching and accessing information available through the Internet and other resources is disclosed. The present invention maintains a database of file objects available from numerous sources. The present invention updates the database periodically to ensure the accuracy and completeness of it. The present invention also may access and retrieve data from numerous sources when prompted by a single and simple command initiated by the user. The user is shielded from the quirks and intricacies of various information sources.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for converting a textual portion of an electronic mail message into audio and delivering the audio through a telephone call to a recipient. An electronic mail server is configured to receive a mail message and parse an address to retrieve a telephone number included in or associated with said address. One or more textual portions of the mail message are converted to audio by a text-to-audio converter and combined into an audio message. The audio message may include an identifier of a sender or originator of the mail message, a subject of the mail message, text included in the body of the mail message, etc. An audio attachment included with the mail message may be included in the audio message. A call processor establishes a telephonic connection with the recipient, plays the audio message and may record a response from the recipient. If a response is provided, it is relayed back to the originator of the mail message. The recipient may be able to specify circumstances (.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for populating a form with data is described. In one embodiment of the invention, a form is displayed to the user via the target application. Each form has one or more data receptacles. The data receptacles of a form are filled with data when the user executes a data population command. The form completion program executes the data population command when a graphical representation of a particular data set is placed over the form. Each data set is stored in an encrypted manner and is accessible to users who enter the appropriate information into an authentication mechanism. To populate a form with data the form completion program obtains an image of the form and then searches for a template file that resembles the form image to within a certain threshold. The template files are typically stored on the computer hosting the target application in a template directory that is arranged according to a predefined structure.

Abstract: A search for an image includes receiving a set of features corresponding to image characteristics that then are compared to features indexed for multiple stored images. A search result is produced based on the comparison. The received set of features may correspond to posterized image characteristics that then are compared to features that have been indexed and that correspond to posterized image characteristics for multiple stored images. The received set of features may be compared to features that have been indexed for multiple stored images in an inverted index. The inverted index may include a relationship between features and images including those features. Additionally or alternatively, the received set of features may be compared to a list of features, where the list of features includes a relationship between features and images including those features.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for automatically provisioning a user's telephone service (e.g., a complementary network service). A request to add, change or disconnect a service element or feature is received at a web server, telephone server or other entry point (e.g., resubmit server). A generic order object is created to identify the service feature(s) to be affected, how it is to be provisioned, the user's service provider (e.g., LEC (Local Exchange Carrier), wireless carrier) and may provide additional information needed to complete the provisioning. The generic order object is automatically converted into a form specific to the provider. When a response is received from the service provider, the system may update the status of the order to indicate success, notify the user of the order status, re-submit an order that was unsuccessful, notify an operator if intervention is required, initiate resubmission of the order, etc.

Abstract: A messaging application user interface has an input element for receiving electronic messages and an output element for displaying electronic messages. The messaging application user interface can be implemented so as to maintain a subset of the plurality of potential message recipients, the subset being determined using a predetermined criterion. The messaging application user interface also can be implemented so as to auto-complete a partially entered address based on the subset of potential message recipients. A set of user-selectable signals that modify auto-completion behavior also can be used with the messaging application user interface. The messaging application user interface can be used in an instant messaging system to allow a user to send instant messages to and exchange comments with a plurality of other users without having to switch among several instant message windows.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the critical needs of publishers seeking to create and publish hypermedia content in electronic form across the wide area networks (“WAN's”) such as the World Wide Web. Toward this end, a client-server development platform is provided for handling the important functions of document authoring, content-based indexing and retrieval of documents, management and control of proprietary assets, and a support for developing form-driven interactive services, all in a manner that is uniquely and seamlessly WAN-integrated.

Abstract: Indexing images for use in a searchable index includes receiving an image. A joint histogram may be computed for the received image such that the joint histogram includes joint features. A searchable index based on the joint features within the joint histogram may be created using an index methodology. Text also may be received and a searchable index of the received text may be created. A weighting factor may be applied to at least one of the joint features within the joint histogram such that the joint histogram represents a weighted joint histogram. A searchable index may include a first joint histogram feature corresponding to at least a first image, which includes the first joint histogram feature. The searchable index also may include a second joint histogram feature corresponding to at least a second image, which includes the second joint histogram feature.

Abstract: Conducting a search for both text and images includes receiving input, which may include one or more search criteria for at least one of searchable image characteristics and text terms. The received input may be compared with searchable image characteristics and text terms that have been indexed in a single format for multiple stored images and text segments. A search result is produced based on the comparison. The searchable image characteristics and text terms may be indexed in a uniform data format that enables a search engine to use the same search methodology to search for both images and text. The uniform data format may be an inverted index data format. The produced search result may include identifiers for one or more images and text segments that have been retrieved for display in a ranked manner based on similarity metrics.

Abstract: Representing an image includes extracting information reflecting one or more characteristics of an image that then is used to compute a first histogram vector. The first histogram vector includes one or more vector elements, each representing information for a different characteristic extracted about the image. Multiple subsets are identified within at least one of the vector elements included in the first histogram vector and a second histogram is created. The second histogram vector includes a vector element for each of the subsets identified within the vector elements included in the first histogram vector. Data within the vector elements of the second histogram vector represents the extracted image characteristics.

Abstract: A method of providing voice access to Internet-based information and services includes receiving a signal indicating a communication connection request in which the communication connection request is initiated by a user of a communication apparatus, establishing a communication connection with the communication apparatus of the user, receiving voice information from the user, and communicating voice information responsive to the voice information received from the user. The responsive voice information includes Internet-based information.

Abstract: Interactions between users of a computer network are facilitated by transmitting a first user's proposal for an activity to another user, with the proposal including one or more parameters descriptive of the proposed activity. A response received from the other user may include a counterproposal having one or more parameters descriptive of the proposed activity, with at least one of the parameters of the counterproposal differing from a corresponding parameter of the proposal. The users automatically engage in the proposed activity using the parameters included in the counterproposal upon acceptance of the counterproposal by the first user.