Abstract: A system is provided to deliver complete files from a server to a maximum number of clients, while at the same time minimizing cumulative waiting time through the utilization of a prioritization heuristic in which there are two competing priorities. As to the first priority, the highest priority is given to those clients most in danger of not receiving a complete file by a predetermined deadline. The second priority is set to minimize the waiting time for the delivery of files by sending the files only to those clients that are capable of receiving the data fastest. An exponential curve system is utilized as a tie breaker between the two competing priorities in which the weight of each priority is determined. As a result, in terms of distribution from a single server to multiple clients, the calculation of the weighted priority is a real number derived from user parameters such as log-in characteristics, the due date, and the amount of the file remaining to be transmitted.

Abstract: An automatic system is provided for dynamic diagnosis and repair of a user's computer through the utilization of a programmable interface to access and use relevant data in which a special script comprising a relatively small program first makes an inventory of hardware, software and configuration information relative to the user, his equipment and the network and stores this information in a single uniform object oriented database. A large number of system tools are also stored so that upon accessing the inventory and looking at any relevant data the script can call the available tools to automatically correct any user problem, whether it be compatibility of peripherals, software conflicts, providing missing software components, or correcting other problems, all on an automatic basis without user intervention or oftentimes without user knowledge.

Abstract: A system is provided for the remote control of one computer from another in which selectable compression speeds are utilized to minimize overall screen refresh time. In one embodiment, an algorithm selection module at one computer chooses the highest compression available corresponding to a worst case scenario, followed by measurement of the compression time and the transmission time, with the ratio of compression time to transmission time being used to select a decreased compression, thereby to lower compression time and consequently lower the overall screen refresh time. By adjusting both the send time and the compression time on the transmit side, the above ratio can be made to equal one, which corresponds to the most efficient utilization of the available bandwidth and CPU power, which in turn translates into the quickest screen refresh time for the remote control operation.

Abstract: A system is provided for the safe transfer of large data files over an unreliable network link in which the connection can be interrupted for a long period of time. In the subject system, the sender sends a file with a unique signature which is recognized by the receiver, with the signature providing information as to file size. Upon the occasion of an interrupted communication over the link, the receive side waits for another connection. Upon the establishment of the connection, the receive side recognizes the signature of the file as the file which was being transmitted at the time of the interruption and requests blocks of data from the sender from the point at which the interruption occurred, with the point being established by the file size and the time of the interruption. The result is a restartable transfer of the transmission of information from the sender to receiver from the place where it left off, thus eliminating the annoyance of having to restart the transmission from the beginning.

Abstract: In an Internet-based client/server application, a system is provided which detects demographics of a client including CPU power, hard disk space, applications installed, network connectivity and log-in history so as to provide this infrastructure related information detailing client usage of the Internet to the service provider. In one embodiment, each user is provided with software having a unique serial number. Having the serial number, infrastructure data is checked at the client side and reported to the server periodically, with the server updating a database with the infrastructure data from each PC. In one embodiment, the database is filtered by factors such as location of the client and an indication of which providers delivered software to a client. After filtering, the service provider can obtain various demographics such as the demography of hard disk space, CPU power and viewers.

Abstract: A smart delivery system is provided for transmitting video, audio, hyper-text and web documents to end users via the internet over telephone lines, fiber optics, satellite link, or other direct communications on a non-realtime discontinuous basis in which the server providing the information periodically ascertains whether the end user terminal is busy. If so, the transmission to the end user is terminated and the information is stored until such time as the "busy" indication is terminated. In one embodiment, the indication for the end user of incoming information is in the form of an icon generated on-screen on which the user can click to obtain the sought-after information.