Abstract: The present invention provides a registration agent site (4) which presents a simple intermediary between sites (3) and internet users (1) that acts a single source of data entry, user name and password for users. This allows users to register with new sites automatically and move between registered sites via a single interface, while allowing changes in profile information via the same interface. The registration agent site (4) acts as the agent for the internet user (1) rather than the site owner, allowing registration by proxy in a manner which is transparent to other sites. The agent negotiates connectivity and connects the user.

Abstract: An image of certain resolution higher than possible in a single transmission over a finite bandwidth channel is obtained by transferring a progressively-rendered, compressed image. Initially, a low quality image is compressed and transmitted over a finite bandwidth channel. Then, a successively higher resolution image information is compressed at a source and is transmitted. The successively higher resolution image information received at the destination end is used to display a higher resolution image at the destination end.

Abstract: Compressing the digitized time-domain continuous input signal typically includes formatting the input signal into a plurality of time-domain blocks having boundaries, forming an overlapping time-domain block by prepending a fraction of a previous time-domain block to a current time-domain block, transforming each overlapping time-domain block to a transform domain block including a plurality of coefficients, partitioning the coefficients of each transform domain block into signal coefficients and residue coefficients, quantizing the signal coefficients for each transformed domain block and generating signal quantization indices indicative of such quantization, modeling the residue coefficients for each transform domain block as stochastic noise and generating residue quantization indices indicative of such quantization, and formatting the signal quantization indices and the residue quantization indices for each transform domain block as an output bit-stream. The continuous data may include audio data.

Abstract: Enabling low-latency reduction of quantization-induced block-discontinuities of continuous data formatted into a plurality of data blocks having boundaries typically includes forming an overlapping input data block by prepending a fraction of a previous input data block to a current input data block, identifying regions near the boundary of each overlapping input data block, and excluding regions near the boundary of each overlapping input data block and reconstructing an initial output data block from the remaining data of such overlapping input data block. The continuous data may include audio data and/or time-domain data. The low-latency reduction of quantization-induced block-discontinuities of continuous data may be applied to at least one of a coder and decoder.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating an on-line service community with a foreign service such as the Internet World Wide Web. To take advantage of the present invention, on-line service subscribers access a membership module to complete a membership process in which they join communities each of which represents a specific area of interest. The present invention operates as an extension to a user's preferred Web browser and is manifested as a toolbar comprised of control buttons and a viewer on a computer user's screen. By interacting with the control buttons of the toolbar and the menus of the viewer, on-line service content is delivered to the user in response to the URLs specified by the user as he or she browses the Web. In addition, control buttons on the toolbar present opportunities for interacting with other community members.

Abstract: Compression of speech may be achieved through the adaptive generation of a compressed sound output. A first processing element may be used to characterize a first sound representation such that a first characterization result is produced. A comparison element may be provided to compare a first comparison input that is related to the first sound representation with a second comparison input that is related to the first characterization result. A determination may be made on whether further processing is desirable based on whether the first comparison result satisfies a first predetermined threshold criteria. Additionally, a second processing element may be included to characterize a second sound representation and to produce a second characterization result only if the first comparison result satisfies the first predetermined threshold. A compressed sound output is generated whose contents are determined based on at least the first comparison result.

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 the 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 seemlessly WAN-integrated.

Abstract: A recompression server that automatically decompresses selected pre-compressed data streams and recompresses the decompressed data to a greater degree than the original pre-compressed data. In one embodiment, the recompression server determines from a request whether a requested file is pre-compressed. In another embodiment, the recompression server determines from a retrieved requested file's name or attributes whether the file is pre-compressed. Optionally, the recompression server may compress requested but previously uncompressed files. As another option, the recompression server may cache frequently requested files in re-compressed form to further optimize the bandwidth of a wide area network. Such caching can be done on-line or off-line.

Abstract: Regulating a user of a computer-based service includes receiving input about a first user from at least one other user of the computer-based service, determining a degree to which the at least one other user can influence a parameter associated with the first user, and modifying the first user's parameter based on the received input and the determined degree of influence. The first user's parameter, for example, can relate to the first user's ability to use the computer-based service.

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 method and means for self-policing and automatically rate-limiting multiple-user online forums. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a set of rules that permit users to censure other users. A censured user has one or more “privileges” (which may include access to the online computer system or the effective message rate of a communications connection) taken away or diminished; the privilege is gradually restored if the censured user behaves. The censuring participant and other pertinent participants are notified of the effect of the censuring on the censured user. In another aspect of the invention, the online computer system automatically tracks the rate at which a user sends certain types of messages, and can message rate limit a user who uses too many system resources by sending a large number of messages in rapid succession.

Abstract: A method and system for reduction of quantization-induced block-discontinuities arising from lossy compression and decompression of continuous signals, especially audio signals. One embodiment encompasses a general purpose, ultra-low latency, efficient audio codec algorithm. More particularly, the invention includes a method and apparatus for compression and decompression of audio signals using a novel boundary analysis and synthesis framework to substantially reduce quantization-induced frame or block-discontinuity; a novel adaptive cosine packet transform (ACPT) as the transform of choice to effectively capture the input audio characteristics; a signal-residue classifier to separate the strong signal clusters from the noise and weak signal components (collectively called residue); an adaptive sparse vector quantization (ASVQ) algorithm for signal components; a stochastic noise model for the residue; and an associated rate control algorithm.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for generating and displaying a calendar containing user-selected events from user-selected categories. A plurality of categories of events are provided. The user can select which categories are of interest, and then select individual events within those categories. Events are overlaid on a calendar unique to the user. Calendars may also be shared among a number of selected users, if desired. Online purchasing and related actions can be associated with each event.

Abstract: A method and means for self-policing and automatically rate-limiting multiple-user online forums. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes a set of rules that permit users to censure other users. A censured user has one or more “privileges” (which may include access to the online computer system or the effective message rate of a communications connection) taken away or diminished; the privilege is gradually restored if the censured user behaves. The censuring participant and other pertinent participants are notified of the effect of the censuring on the censured user. In another aspect of the invention, the online computer system automatically tracks the rate at which a user sends certain types of messages, and can message rate limit a user who uses too many system resources by sending a large number of messages in rapid succession.

Abstract: The present invention allows subscribers to an online information service to participate in real-time conferencing or chat sessions in which a message originating from a subscriber in accordance with a first language is translated to one or more languages before it is broadcast to the other conference areas. Messages in a first language are translated automatically to one or more other languages through language translation capabilities resident at online information service host computers. Access software that subscribers use for participating in conference is integrated with speech recognition and speech generation software such that a subscriber may speak the message he or she would like to share with other participants and may hear the messages from the other participants in the conference. Speech-to-speech translation may be accomplished as a message spoken into a computer microphone in accordance with a first language may be recited by a remote computer in accordance with a second language.

Abstract: Regulating a user of a computer-based service includes receiving input about a first user from at least one other user of the computer-based service, determining a degree to which the at least one other user can influence a parameter associated with the first user, and modifying the first user's parameter based on the received input and the determined degree of influence. The first user's parameter, for example, can relate to the first user's ability to use the computer-based service.

Abstract: The present invention allows subscribers to an online information service to participate in real-time conferencing or chat sessions in which a message originating from a subscriber in accordance with a first language is translated to one or more languages before it is broadcast to the other conference areas. Messages in a first language are translated automatically to one or more other languages through languages translation capabilities resident at online information service host computers. Access software that subscribers use for participating in conference is integrated with speech recognition and speech generation software such that a subscriber may speak the message he or she would like to share with other participants and may hear the messages from the other participants in the conference. Speech-to-speech translation may be accomplished as a message spoken into a computer microphone in accordance with a first language may be recited by a remote computer in accordance with a second language.

Abstract: An image of certain resolution higher than possible in a single transmission over a finite bandwidth channel is obtained by transferring a progressively-rendered, compressed image. Initially, a low quality image is compressed and transmitted over a finite bandwidth channel. Then, a successively higher resolution image information is compressed at a source and is transmitted. The successively higher resolution image information received at the destination end is used to display a higher resolution image at the destination end.

Abstract: A recompression server that automatically decompresses selected pre-compressed data streams and recompresses the decompressed data to a greater degree than the original pre-compressed data. In one embodiment, the recompression server determines from a request whether a requested file is pre-compressed. In another embodiment, the recompression server determines from a retrieved requested file's name or attributes whether the file is pre-compressed. Optionally, the recompression server may compress requested but previously uncompressed files. As another option, the recompression server may cache frequently requested files in re-compressed form to further optimize the bandwidth of a wide area network. Such caching can be done on-line or off-line.

Abstract: A system for navigating an online information system is disclosed. Subscribers provide topic and action preferences to traverse to a customized content area in which related tasks may be completed. Customized content areas are reached after subscribers make three or fewer selections. Paths to customized content areas are similar for all combinations of topics and actions so subscribers learn quickly how to navigate to any area of the information service.