Abstract: The performance of a network system having one or more requester nodes, one or more provider nodes, and one or more intermediate nodes is improved by determining the digital signature of a received file, looking up the digital signature in an index of signatures, and forwarding a previously compressed version of the requested file when the digital signature is found in the index of signatures.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method includes presenting a user interface having a visual representation for each of multiple ongoing conversations involving a recipient user identity who is associated with each of the conversations. Message activity of the recipient user identity with respect to one or more of the multiple ongoing conversations is monitored and activity level associated with at least one incoming message for a recipient user identity is identified based upon the monitored message activity. The monitored message activity includes the recipient user identity's interaction with a conversation associated with the incoming message.

Abstract: An intelligent synchronization tool ensures access to desired content in a manner that automatically keeps the content current on the portable media device. A variation threshold or user-specified degree of content variation may be introduced among content downloaded to a user's mobile device to prevent the user from becoming bored. Furthermore, intelligent synchronization may automatically populate the portable media device with popular content to save a user time and/or use passive monitoring techniques to ascertain a user's preferences for subsequent population.

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: The invention provides directory views for a directory server to facilitate navigating entries hierarchically without requiring physical existence of the entry in any particular place. The entries are put into the directory views hierarchy using information about the entries. Given a set of views, a user can navigate using one of the views which is most appropriate to get to the entries that are required. Search of views in a directory server can be performed by a filter rewriting process.

Abstract: A wireless network may be managed by identifying one or more wireless subscriber systems included in a lobe pool of a wireless network, identifying at least one candidate subscriber system outside of the lobe pool with which to enable communications, and reconfiguring the antenna such that the lobe pool includes the identified candidate subscriber system.

Abstract: System and techniques for storing digital images within a computer system by identifying a first storage facility and a directory within the first storage facility for storing a digital image; generating a first image identifier associated with the first storage facility and the directory; generating a second image identifier comprising a random number; generating a unique hash value by encrypting the first and second image identifiers; and identifying a storage path using the first and second image identifiers and the unique hash value such that related digital images have unrelated storage paths.

Abstract: A digital asset management system and method is responsive to user interactions with digital assets. A ranking of digital assets is generated based upon user interaction, to reflect the value of the digital assets to the user. The ranking is based in part on access frequency and recency, and the number and types of uses of the digital assets. An access hierarchy is derived from the ranking, wherein higher ranked digital assets are more easily accessed than the lower ranked digital assets. Different types of uses can be distinguished, so that some types of uses imbue an asset with greater value than others. The types of uses may include passive viewing or playback, file sharing, transport, and editing. Subjective values may be assigned by the user to each digital asset that can be factored into the ranking independently of usage patterns. A volatility-dampening attribute moderates volatility in the access hierarchy.

Abstract: Installing computer software components on a client device for enabling connectivity to a host system by at least one of several different hardware devices typically includes receiving a connectivity component for enabling connectivity to a host system by at least one of several different hardware devices and detecting whether installation of the connectivity component is needed to enable connectivity between the client device and the host system. The connectivity component is typically installed on the client device when installation of the connectivity component is needed.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for displaying a uniform resource locator (URL) to assist a user in determining whether a URL destination is what the user expects. A link is presented for selection to a user, and a URL corresponding to the link is accessed. A portion of the URL that corresponds to a hostname component of the URL may be identified, and the URL may be displayed. The hostname component of the URL is visually distinguished from other components of the URL. In addition to or as an alternative to displaying the URL and visually distinguishing the hostname component, a warning message relating to the hostname portion of the URL may be displayed. The techniques may be implemented as a software plug-in or in any type of software application that is capable of recognizing URLs.

Abstract: Information about all current members of a group is stored. Instructions are received from at least one current member to invite at least one prospective member to join the group and the invitation to join the group is sent to the prospective member. In the event that an affirmative response is received, the prospective member is added to the current members of the group and automatically updated services are provided to current members of the group.

Abstract: Performing a category search to identify categories of web sites that relate to a search term includes receiving at least one search term that then is compared with a hierarchy of category identifiers, and with terms related to one or more categories, to determine whether matches exist. A category identifier is selected based on the matches that are determined to exist within the hierarchy and the terms, and at least the category identifier is displayed. Performing a search to identify web sites and categories of web sites that relate to a search term also may include receiving at least one search term that then is compared with a list of recommended web sites, previously performed searches, a hierarchy of category identifiers, and terms related to one or more categories to determine whether matches exist. Results based on matches that are determined to exist are displayed.

Abstract: Electronic messages may be processed using a stamp authority by receiving an electronic message, identifying a stamp associated the message, determining if the stamp is valid, and, if the stamp is determined to be valid, distinguishing the message from messages with which a valid stamp is not identified.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that provides current location information services in a network are described. In one preferred embodiment, a location identifier and a user identifier are received from a user. A user profile associated with the user identifier is retrieved from a database of user profiles. The user profile includes one or more stored location identifiers associated with the user. The received location identifier is then compared to the stored location identifiers to determine matching location identifiers and further to determine current location information of the user.

Abstract: An authorized client communication system seeking access to a host communication system may be identified by locating a memory segment within the client communication system that stores client software used to access the host computer system. The memory segment then is examined to determine whether the client software stored in the memory segment corresponds to client software for an official client communication, system. Communications from the client communication system are terminated when the client software in the memory segment is determined to diverge from software for an official client communication system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing data associated with incoming electronic messages including filtering incoming electronic messages according to the sender's address. In addition, a request/response technique categorizes sender's addresses as authorized, unauthorized, or unconfirmed, which categorizations are stored in associated data structure. The filtering processes and the categorization techniques can be used in connection with any of various methods for populating the data structures that identify sender's addresses associated with authorized and unauthorized senders. In this manner, recipients can effectively cause unsolicited electronic messages to be filtered out. Moreover, the processes generally do not require the recipient to view electronic messages and make decisions regarding whether the senders are to be categorized as unauthorized; rather, the timeliness and accuracy of the senders' responses determine whether specified senders are authorized or unauthorized.

Abstract: Personalizing communications for a first communication platform includes accessing status information for communication sessions by a communication identity that leverage a first communication platform other than an instant messaging platform. A participant list associated with the communication identity and the first communication platform is passively configured to persistently reflect a list of participant identities from communication sessions in which the communication identity recently participated using the communication platform.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for leveraging narrowband connectivity (such as dial-up communications or other types of low bandwidth communications) to provision or configure broadband connectivity between a broadband access provider and a broadband device, such as a DSL modem or a cable modem. Specifically, because narrowband connectivity does not require advance configuration or provisioning by the host system of connectivity parameters for an access-seeking device, a modem at an access-seeking device may be leveraged to establish a narrowband connection between that device and a host system and to enable an exchange or negotiation of connectivity parameters necessary to enable future broadband connectivity. Thus, once established, the narrowband connection may be used as a conduit for communicating required provisioning information between the broadband-enabling host and the access-seeking device to enable broadband connectivity by the device in the future.

Abstract: Personalized information is received at an alarm clock device by configuring the alarm clock device with an identifier for which a user identity profile has previously been established for purposes other than for configuration of the alarm clock device. Upon satisfaction of user-defined alarm criteria, the identifier is submitted. Subsequent to the submission of the identifier, information is received that is personalized to a user identity of the alarm clock device based on the user identity profile.

Abstract: A method for communicating between an operator at an operator device and a user recipient includes enabling an operator of the operator device to enter a device-independent unique identifier for a user recipient by requiring interaction between the operator and the operator device without requiring interaction between the operator and software on the operator device that is designed for communication over an IP-based network. The method includes identifying an IP network address associated with the user recipient based on the device-independent unique identifier and routing a message entered by the operator to the determined IP network address.