Abstract: In a computing system environment, methods and apparatus include tapping a plurality of connected computing devices and distilling small amounts of entropy from each, concentrating the entropy so collected, and performing all in a stealth or surreptitious fashion relative to the providers of the entropy. In this manner: the potential supply of entropy on a networked computing device is greatly expanded; the potential for entropy-related denial-of-service attacks in Linux systems is reduced; no significant extra processing burden on participating computing devices is required; and enlisting entropy-providing computing devices (including or not naïve applications) in entropy exchanges occurs unobtrusively. Representative particular environments include web servers, including servlet filters, and clients engaged in http sessions; Java virtual machines; network interface cards in promiscuous mode analyzing packets; and other. Computer program products for devices to realize the foregoing are also intended.

Abstract: A user interface for operation of a scanning electron microscope device that combines lower magnification reference images and higher magnification images on the same screen to make it easier for a user who is not used to the high magnification of electron microscopes to readily determine where on the sample an image is being obtained and to understand the relationship between that image and the rest of the sample. Additionally, other screens, such as, for example, an archive screen and a settings screen allow the user to compare saved images and adjust the settings of the system, respectively.

Abstract: Techniques allow an intermediate (IM) device to transparently intercept and dynamically modify signaling messages being exchanged by a client and a server when negotiating setup and delivery of a multimedia stream from a streaming server. The techniques also allow an IM device to dynamically convert the real-time multimedia stream from a first transport layer protocol to a second transport layer protocol, and the reverse, based on the particular topology of the network including the presence and location of any security devices that may block the multimedia stream. The IM device may be configured to dynamically modify messages intercepted between the client and the server to change a transport layer protocol indicated by the messages from the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) to the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and the reverse, and convert a UDP data stream to TCP packets and inject the TCP packets into an established TCP session.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution (e.g., rules, techniques, etc.) for enabling the dynamic provisioning (e.g., movement) of Cloud-based jobs and resources. Such provisioning may be within a Cloud infrastructure, from Cloud to Cloud, from non-Cloud to Cloud, and from Cloud to non-Cloud. Each movement scenario is assigned a specific technique based on rules, profiles, SLA and/or other such criteria and agreements. Such dynamic adjustments may be especially advantageous in order to balance real-time workload to avoid over-provisioning, to manage Cloud performance, to attain a more efficient or cost-effective execution environment, to off-load a Cloud or specific Cloud resources for maintenance/service, and the like.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for establishing a connection with a first processor-based device at a second processor-based device, receiving through the connection a control command from the first processor-based device implemented according to a first protocol, wherein the command corresponds to a remote control command received through a remote control device at the first processor-based device, translating the control command from the first protocol to a second protocol executable at the second processor-based device, and executing an event in response to the control command having been translated into the second protocol.

Abstract: Systems configured to provide applications style functionality to at least one user, the systems comprising: at least one user device that includes at least one receiver for receiving data comprising a series of linked states plus additional data associated with each state, the additional data comprising, storage instructions and display instructions; and at least one decoder to decode the received data and cache each state and its corresponding display instructions in accordance with the storage instructions. The systems may also comprise: at least one server configured to communicate with the at least one user device that includes a processor for interpreting the execution of an application or rendering of a state and expressing it as a series of states through which the at least one user device may navigate to create the appearance of executing an application or browsing web content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for automatically instrumenting a set of web documents, such as web pages, as well as embedding structures that present advertising content via the web pages. The instrumentation automatically embeds tags that enable usage information associated with the web documents to be tracked and recorded. Many hundreds or thousands of web pages can be automatically modified without user intervention, enabling comprehensive reporting and tracking to be performed on each page. The web pages are analyzed and insertion points intelligently located. Changes can be verified to ensure that no undesirable effects resulted from embedding the content. The tags can receive parameters customized to the level of users and pages. The tags, insertion information, and other configuration information can be stored in a central repository to make subsequent tagging easier.

Abstract: A method of handling log files in a network with multiple servers, including, installing an agent application on each server in the network, collecting log files on each server by the agent application, defining a uniform format for providing the log files to a central server, transforming the log files to the defined uniform format, transmitting the transformed log files to a central server, storing the log files in an archive by the central server, analyzing the log files received by the central server, producing reports responsive to the analysis of the log files.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus and system for the transfer of motion picture film to reproducible digital imagery products such as digital dailies. In one embodiment of the present invention, a scanning device provides a log video signal representation of received film content, the log video signal including at least grey scale values of the colors of the received film content for enabling a quantitative assessment of the film content exposure information for providing repeatable and reproducible values from which a cinematographer/director of photography could order the color correction or adjustment of the film content in a reproducible manner understood by a color correction specialist or “timer”.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of managing a chat experience of a user desiring to chat with a selected one of a plurality of businesses utilizes in various aspects a chat management server running computer processes for communicating with user devices. In another aspect, a computer-implemented method of providing a chat experience to a user having a user device and desiring to chat with a selected one of a plurality of businesses utilizes computer processes running on the user device. Corresponding embodiments similarly provide an apparatus performing any of the foregoing methods. Other corresponding embodiments similarly provide a computer readable medium storing instructions, which when loaded into a computer, perform processes corresponding to any of the foregoing methods.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing a backup DHCP server using a DHCP relay agent. Embodiments retrieve DHCP server configuration information specifying a configuration of one or more DHCP servers. Additionally, embodiments monitor, at a DHCP relay agent, DHCP lease traffic between the one or more DHCP servers and one or more DHCP clients passing through the DHCP relay agent. Upon determining that the one or more DHCP servers have failed, DHCP server services are provided at the DHCP relay agent, based on the received DHCP server configuration information and the monitored DHCP lease traffic.

Abstract: A software communication unit executes a plurality of application communications executed in parallel in a network according to a TCP/IP control by a software. A hardware communication unit executes the application communications according to a TCP/IP control by a TCP/IP offload engine (TOE). A communication allocating unit executes an allocation processing for allocating a hardware communication by the hardware communication unit and a software communication by the software communication unit based on reference information on each of the application communications, for application communications that are simultaneously executed.

Abstract: One or more media for performing a method of activating a set of user-input elements (e.g., touch-sensitive keys) accommodated by a mobile device according to configuration settings is provided. Initially, a message sent from a transmitting device having a data file includes an address to identify the mobile device. Upon the identified mobile device sending a request to access the data file, a communications-network server performs a configuration-preparation process that includes the following steps: retrieving the appropriate data file, determining the capabilities of mobile device based on a user-agent profile, selecting configuration settings specific to the mobile device capabilities, and dynamically appending the configuration settings to the data file, which are then transmitted to the mobile device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of managing a chat experience of a user desiring to chat with a selected one of a plurality of businesses or chat hosts utilizes in various aspects a chat management server running computer processes for communicating with user devices. In another aspect, a computer-implemented method of providing a chat experience to a user having a user device and desiring to chat with a selected one of a plurality of businesses utilizes computer processes running on the user device. Corresponding embodiments similarly provide an apparatus performing any of the foregoing methods. Other corresponding embodiments similarly provide a computer readable medium storing instructions, which when loaded into a computer, perform processes corresponding to any of the foregoing methods.

Abstract: User-context management techniques can be performed on a context server. The context server may receive user-context information from a client device. The context server may store the user-context information at a context repository in accordance with a particular context model and in accordance with a particular set of rules. Resources accessed by the client device may retrieve the user-context information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing filters for collaborative spreadsheets include storing a spreadsheet on a server, where the spreadsheet comprises a plurality of sheets, granting a plurality of client computers concurrent access to the spreadsheet, and receiving from the plurality of client computers a plurality of filters to be applied to a first sheet in the plurality of sheets. The plurality of filters are stored on the server, and the plurality of filters is associated with the first sheet. The plurality of filters are provided to each client computer. When a user on a first client computer in the plurality of client computers applies a first filter in the plurality of filters to the first sheet, the display of the first sheet on a second client computer in the plurality of client computers is independent of the filter application on the first client computer.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for an integrated blog in a collaborative environment. In this regard, the collaborative environment can include a named collaborative space and one or more collaborative components disposed in the named collaborative space. For instance, the collaborative components can include a discussion forum, a persistent chat, a shared calendar and a shared document library, to name a few. Importantly, a blogging application can be disposed in the named collaborative space as one of the collaborative components. To that end, the blogging application can be coupled to a collaborative blog internal to the collaborative environment.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for providing real-time feedback regarding the effect of applying a policy definition used for management in a computing system. An example of the method includes receiving the policy definition, and accessing stored information regarding at least one managed entity in the computing system. This example also includes applying the policy definition to the information regarding the at least one managed entity. This example further includes outputting information providing real-time feedback regarding the effect of applying the policy definition to the information regarding the at least one managed entity. Another aspect of the invention is a method for defining a policy used for management in a computing system.

Abstract: A centralized location for discovery and data exchange for web applications. Embodiments of the invention are directed to providing a centralized interface location to send data to and receive data from one or more web applications hosted on application servers different from a server hosting the centralized interface. An application developer for a subscriber having an account with the web application may therefore easily extend the functionality of one or more web applications by communicating with a single interface provided, rather than with separate interfaces for each application. The centralized interface may provide information such as a list of all web applications or functionality to which a particular subscriber has access, and may support any desired extension (e.g., addition of users).

Abstract: A cluster computer system including multiple network accessible computers that are each coupled to a network. The network accessible computers implement host computer programs which permits the network accessible computers to operate as host computers for client computers also connected to the network, such that input devices of the client computers can be used to generate inputs to the host computers, and such that image information generated by the host computers can be viewed by the client computers. The system also includes a cluster administration computer coupled to the multiple network accessible computers to monitor the operation of the network accessible computers.