Abstract: The present invention in broadest terms includes an adapter for a plurality of multipin connectors, said adapter comprising: (a) a circuit board having a connector-mounting side; (b) a plurality of multipin connectors, each of said multipin connectors disposed on said connector-mounting side of said circuit board so as to be in electrical contact therewith; and (c) a plural electrical wire conduit in electrical contact via a plug with said circuit board so as to be in electrical contact with each of said multipin connectors.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed 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: A system is disclosed in which Local Area Networks and Wide Area Networks are connected and specialized services are provided to facilitate communication across the networks. For Wide Area Network to Local Area Network communications, users are authenticated and permitted to access workstations via a menu system. Data transfers across the networks are completed using a matching application-level protocol to increase throughput.

Abstract: An electronic discussion group includes interaction with closed captioning from a media program, in substantially real time. Video clips from the program may also be displayed on users' computer terminals.

Abstract: A system is disclosed in which electronic communications such as e-mail messages may be sent to a wireless device. The electronic communications originate or are transmitted through an information service that sends the communications to a wireless service provider capable of communicating with different types of wireless devices. Recipients of electronic communications register their wireless devices with the information service and may take advantage of the sophisticated messaging features of the information service to determine what information should be sent to the wireless device.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for authenticating users and services communicating over an insecure network. Each user and service has a pass-phrase used for authentication. However, the pass-phrases are not revealed during the authentication process as challenge-response techniques are used to keep the pass-phrase secret. In addition, the users and services do not need to know nor do they learn each other's pass-phrases making the process useful in a distributed environment. Pass-phrases are known by an authentication entity with which the service communicates to authenticate both users and services. Users may have identities in and services may support a number of realms, each of which may be viewed as large collection of users (e.g., CompuServe.com). Users choose the realm in which they would like to be authenticated.

Abstract: An improved system for communication between a host that keeps and updates information and a microcomputer that accesses, varies or adds to the host information. The microcomputer displays information received from the host and sends information selected or entered by the microcomputer user to the host. A multitude of applications may exist and function on the host and on the micro. A communications network may be used to carry information between the microcomputer and the host. The method provides for switching among physically separated hosts supporting different host applications.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which allows for an electronic discussion group user to communicate with another user who speaks a different language. Machine translators and other software are incorporated to translate messages, thereby creating parallel discussion groups in different languages.

Abstract: A system for network support of supplemental local applications allows one workstation application, communicating with a host computer on a network, to invoke a second workstation application that takes control of the first application's connection to the network. The first application waits for the second application to terminate and then resumes control of the network connection so that the user is returned to the same point in the work session. The transitions between the workstation applications are automatic and facilitated by the network through a protocol known by both workstation applications and the network. Although the user is aware of the change in applications, the user may never know that an online service host facilitated the transition between the applications.

Abstract: The X.25 device driver allows an X.25 card to be shared by workstations on a local area network. The approach used for the X.25 device driver may be used for sharing other devices on a local area network as well. The device driver for the device to be shared is implemented as a file system so that the device's location is hidden from application programs. Because the device driver is a file system driver, applications may use standard system calls, rather than device specific calls, to access the device.

Abstract: A system for processing credit card transactions is disclosed. Transaction data to be processed is sent by point of sale terminal to a terminal node connected to a sophisticated communications network. The terminal node uses routing data contained in the transaction data to establish a connection to a verification service host. The connection is established while the terminal node concurrently continues to receive and then validate the transaction data. Overall transaction processing time is reduced because the network connection needed for verification of the transaction data is established while, rather than after, transaction data is received and validated.

Abstract: A system that facilitates tracking of computer files that have been received from on-line information services, such as CompuServe. Tracking is accomplished by adding a "handling list" to each file as an obscure part of its archive structure. The actual format and location of this list may vary, depending on whether the file is a picture, program system, or other type of file. Extraction and archive utilities maintain and update the list.

Abstract: A credit card authorization network which takes advantage of an all digital system to eliminate the need for analog to digital signal conversion. This allows for faster response time as well as reduced telephone charges. A credit card company may operate as an interexchange customer providing trunk protocol executing network access system devices at a Feature Group B access facility.

Abstract: An electronic discussion group includes interaction with closed captioning from a media program, in substantially real time. Video clips from the program may also be displayed on users' computer terminals.

Abstract: An electronic discussion group includes interaction with closed captioning from a media program, in substantially real time. Video clips from the program may also be displayed on users'computer terminals.

Abstract: A system for communication between a POS terminal and a destination host, which may be a credit transaction authorization entity. The system includes a POS terminal, RF network port, a packet switched network, a destination node, and a destination host. The system eliminates dependence on the public telephone network by using a radio frequency link rather than the public telephone network to access the packet switched network. The originating node assembles a Data packet, which include all necessary transaction data, prior to sending a Call Request packet to the destination node, thus eliminating handshake steps and reducing the duration of packet switched network use.

Abstract: The present invention is a cooling device for a vertical array of electronic devices, which, in broadest terms, comprises an enclosure having a top and a bottom, each having at least one opening, and having first and second sides. The first opposing side has at least one first aperture and at least one first fan disposed in it to urge air toward the outside of the enclosure. The second opposing side has at least one second aperture and at least one second fan disposed in it adapted to urge air toward the inside of the enclosure. The device also has at least one deflector adapted to guide air passing through the opening(s) in the bottom of the enclosure toward the first fan(s), and adapted to guide air passing through the second fan(s) toward the opening(s) in the top of the enclosure.