Abstract: The invention relates to separating data from a data stream. More specifically the invention relates to pre-registering tags and destinations for data marked with the particular tag. The invention also relates to sending a data sub-stream to a destination according to the pre-registered tag. The invention inserts a destination for data marked with the tag into a lookup table. The invention also scans a data stream for the tag to determine the destination to receive the data marked with the tag. The invention also teaches using a hash table to immediately determine the destination of a data stream. An embodiment of the invention sends a data stream to a service provider. Another embodiment of the invention sends an XML data sub-stream to a destination determined by information contained in pre-registered tags.

Abstract: A method, system, computer system and computer program product to interact with a user of a computer system or service via more than one communication channel, such as a telephone channel and a web channel. A determination can be made based upon information gathered via the multiple communication channels that communication between a server and one communication channel is related to communication between the server and another communication channel. Related information gathered via the multiple communication channels can be identified to form a more complete picture of information about the user's problem with a problem entity. A potential action to help the user find a solution can be determined from information gathered from all communication channels. An automated option can be provided via one of the communication channels, and an automated suggestion to select the option can be made via a coordinated communication channel.

Abstract: A method, system, computer system, and computer-readable medium to provide an interface for defining a model of a particular functionality of an information processing system. Intelligent models can be defined that can be used by an application to discover actual relationship, dependency, or configuration data for components of an information processing system. Models can be defined to include a set of one or more instructions to discover data about an existing information system, where the data are related to the specific information processing function being modeled. Models provide a context for analyzing and evaluating the functionality of an information processing system. The interface can also be used to define the model itself, including components of the model, properties of the components, and relationships between components.

Abstract: A method, system, computer system and computer program product to distribute data to arbitrarily large subsets of a very large client base, with each client computer system running client software referred to as an agent. The data distribution system uses minimal server resources and a large-scale network such as the Internet. The data to be distributed may include, for example, agent software configuration data; agent software programs, plug-ins, and associated data; announcements; and other data that is centrally managed by an administrator. Using this invention, millions of client computer systems, such as computer systems for subscribers to a broadband service, can be configured and managed centrally, while allowing data to be distributed to all or a subset of subscribers efficiently and using minimal bandwidth. Agents assist in determining whether particular data are to be distributed to them, enabling much larger-scale applications to be supported with limited server-side resources.

Abstract: A method, system, computer system and computer program product to remotely diagnose a problem with a computer system or related equipment using data provided by a user of the computer system via telephone. A signal including speech and/or DTMF tones is received via a telephone channel from a user of the computer system or equipment. The computer system and/or equipment associated with the signal is identified using information from the signal, such as a user name, caller ID, telephone number, or password. A source of diagnostic information about the computer system is identified, and diagnostic information is gathered from the source. The diagnostic information can be used to fix the problem or provided to a customer service agent for use in further problem diagnosis.

Abstract: Policy-based management method for remote management of a home device (3), said method comprising: a triggering step wherein the operational state of the home device (3) changes under occurrence of a triggering event belonging to one of the following event categories: a device event, where the event is automatically produced by the home device (3); a scheduled event, where the event is automatically produced by a clock; a user event, where the event is produced by a user; an evaluation step, wherein a home device management (HDM) server (9) evaluates at least one device selection criterion; a policy run cycle, wherein the HDM server (9) runs a policy on the home device (3), said policy being selected among the following policies: an activation policy if the triggering event is of the device type; a management policy if the triggering event is of the scheduled type; a transient policy if the triggering event is of the user type.

Abstract: Method for remote management of a home device (3), said method comprising: a connection step wherein the home device (3) connects to a remote walled garden home device management (WG_HDM) server (10); a pre-activation cycle wherein a pre-activation policy is run on the home device (3) from the WG_HDM server (10); a transfer step wherein the home device (3) is redirected by the WG_HDM server (10) to a remote public home device management (P_HDM) server (14); an activation cycle wherein an activation policy is run on the home device (3) from the P_HDM server (14).

Abstract: An information management system within a client/server based computer system is disclosed. The information management system manages information as to the dynamic locations and continuous changes relating to services offered within the computer system. The information management system utilizes a service point map (SPM) that monitors such changes. The SPM tracks changes relating to services, sphere, location, port, and epoch value. The SPM may be hierarchical in nature. Parallel or duplicate services may also exist within the system.

Abstract: Services are provided in an architecture utilizing a framework of standardized interconnection mechanisms that allow for the dynamic addition of new services that meet rules for the distributed services network. Likewise, new agents may readily be added to the network. The network architecture is composed of agent software at the broadband subscriber endpoint in conversation with server software at the service provider location. Under the present architecture, certain minimum service functionality is provided to any subscriber by way of a registration service for new subscribers, a login service for existing subscribers, subscriber profile services, connection services and plug-in management services. Through this network, a subscriber can access these services as well as additional services that are dynamically added to the network.

Abstract: A method for automated technical support in a computer network having a client machine, and at least one server from which live help is available. The method begins initiates a guided self-help session in response to entry by a user of a problem area and description. During the self-help session, the user is provided with an option to escalate to live help. If the user exercises that option, the system automatically provides a support engineer at the server with a data stream summarizing the self-help session. During the live help, the support engineer may then repeat a portion of the user's self-help session, view information generated during that session, and/or execute certain actions with respect to the user's machine, all from the engineer's desktop. An active journal is maintained for each problem incident, and active journals may be used by other analysts to facilitate problem resolutions for new incidents.

Abstract: A system and method is described for managing plugin program components through encapsulation in a self managing agent that supports introspection for installation. An agent evaluator engine at the host machine interrogates the introspective interface for the agent to determine what resources are required by the plugin. In addition, the engine determines what effect the plugin will have on the host system, and invokes the installation logic which may be contained in the agent. Using the introspective mechanism and installation logic, any changes in the plugin (such as revisions) and the associated dependency changes can be readily accommodated since only a single base of information and installation logic, that which is contained within the enclosing agent, requires modification.

Abstract: A stereophonic image enhancement signal processing system for vehicular sound systems provides a symmetrical improvement in imaging for listeners located at the left and right regions of a vehicle passenger compartment The stereo signals are processed in a manner to provide a rapid rate-of-change of phase equal to at least 90 degrees per octave approaching a maximum of 180 degrees between the stereo channels at approximately 300 Hz. A further enhancement of the reproduced sound stage is provided through the application of equalized stereo difference signals prior to, and in combination with, the above described phase shift process. An optional center channel signal, summed from stereo source signals, may be provided for driving a central speaker.

Abstract: A stereophonic signal processing system provides optimal spatial enhancement in a compact stereo sound system having limited physical separation between two relatively small stereo loudspeakers with accordingly limited low-frequency output capability. A difference signal is derived from the left and right stereo signals by subtraction in a a differential amplifier circuit, which may be made frequency-dependent so that the rejection of correlated information decreases with increasing frequency. The difference signal is processed through a frequency equalizer circuit, and an inverted version is derived via an inverter; the non-inverted and inverted difference signals are filtered according to a high-pass filter function having an upper-bass cutoff frequency selected to avoid excessive spatialization at low frequencies.

Abstract: A bimorph bender acoustical transducer driver or motor element in which no center vane is necessary. Elimination of the vane reduces the dynamic mass of the driver so that a thicker, more rugged piezoelectric wafer can be used to achieve the same acoustical response characteristics as were possible with prior art drivers having vanes and thinner piezoelectric wafers subject to damage.