Abstract: A method for downloading files, the method including the steps of at a client a) requesting a proxy server to initiate a first download of a file from a first server, the first server determined by the client to lack download resume capability and the proxy server possessing download resume capability, at the proxy server b) initiating the first download of the file from the first server, and at the client c) initiating at least a second download of the file from the proxy server.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus that allow cable customers who wish to add a cable modem (or other device) to a local network to choose both the cable modem through which they access the Internet and the Internet Service Provider (ISP) that will provide them that access. A system of hardware connects the local network to the Internet. This hardware includes cable-modem infrastructure that denies Internet access to devices on the local network that are not registered with an authorized ISP. The hardware also facilitates the registration process, allowing devices new to the local network to establish Internet-access agreements with ISPs, and thereby gain access to the Internet.

Abstract: A repeater, useable for connecting switches in a data communication network, is provided in a distributed and/or modular fashion. The repeater includes a plurality of separate and distinct components or modules connected to or at least partially housed in, the various switches which the repeater modules couple. Preferably, the repeater autodetects and/or autoconfigures some or all aspects of repeater operations, such as detecting and/or configuring appropriate full/half-duplex mode operation or detecting and/or configuring in response to appropriate or approved cable-type connections. The distributed and/or modular repeater facilitates accommodating various switching or repeater needs as a network grows or contracts.

Abstract: A service provider for embedded devices is disclosed for controlling, monitoring and/or updating embedded devices. The service provider includes a computer having communications hardware for communicating over a computer network. The computer also includes a storage device and a processor. The service provider further includes a database of embedded device information that contains information relating to a number of embedded devices. An embedded device communications module is used by the service provider to communicate with a number of embedded devices. The service provider further includes a computer network communications module for communicating with computers via the computer network. In addition, the service provider has a database interface module for accessing the information in the embedded device information database.

Abstract: During allocation of time slots of a UMTS frame to a terminal, the UMTS network provides a continuous gap having a duration at least equal to 5 ms in a UMTS frame to enable the receiver of the terminal to measure the power of any GSM signals received and to prepare for possible handover by pre-synchronizing to an adjoining GSM cell.

Abstract: Improved techniques for rapid and efficient delivery of objects from a network (e.g., the Internet) to users are disclosed. The improved techniques can be utilized in a variety of apparatuses, including a proxy system or an acceleration apparatus. Such a proxy system operates to produce an accelerated version of content information from the network, cache the accelerated version (and possibly original versions) for subsequent requests for the same information content, and supply the accelerated version of the information content to a requesting user.

Abstract: A multimedia server computer or other device can provide multimedia content, as well as summaries of the multimedia content, to one or more client computers. Each of the users of a client computer is identified as being part of a particular group and summaries are generated for each group. Each summary includes those portions of the multimedia content that are most interesting to previous users of the corresponding group.

Abstract: A method, which may be implemented by a program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for satisfying requests between a client and a server including the steps of providing a first entity with a directory of information about contents of a cache of a second entity, the first entity for receiving a request from a client, determining whether the directory of information indicates that the request is satisfied by the cache of the second entity by querying the directory of information on the first entity, sending the request to the second entity, if the directory indicates that the request is satisfied by the cache of the second entity, and otherwise, sending the request to be satisfied by another entity. A system is also included.

Abstract: A time-slot interchanger (TSI 100) is used to control both time-slot access and distribution of signals to physical or virtual signal-processing circuits (106-116). The TSI includes a control table (200) with an entry (202) for each time slot, that specifies the source (204, 205) and destination (230, 231) of signals received during the corresponding time-slot interval and the processing (208-228) of those signals. The TSI is coupled to the signal processing circuits, and sends the received signals to the signal processing circuits for processing along with control signals to effect the processing specified by the corresponding control-table entries. For conferencing, the TSI sends all signals for each conference in sequence to the conferencing circuit (108) before starting and sending any signals for any other conference, thereby allowing a single conference accumulator to support any number of conferences of any size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is for buffering data cells in a queuing element is presented. Each queuing element includes a partitioned buffer, where the partitioned buffer includes a plurality of partitions. Each of the partitions stores data cells received by the queuing element. Storage of the data cells into the partitions is accomplished by using an array of logical queues. Each logical queue of the array of logical queues maps data cells corresponding to that logical queue to a particular partition of the plurality of partitions. More than one logical queue may map data cells to a particular partition. Each partition may include a reserved portion, where each logical queue that maps to the partition may map a portion of its data cells to the reserved portion. The resources of the reserved portion to which a logical queue maps data cells are reserved to that specific logical queue and cannot be utilized by other logical queues.

Abstract: In a multimedia call center (MMCC) operating through an operating system, a client-specific self-help wizard is provided for active clients and updated periodically with information related to client transaction history with the MMCC. A connected client is presented by the wizard with a selective media function through which the client may a select a media type for interaction and help, and the MMCC will then re-contact the client through the selected media. The client, for example, may select IP or COST telephony, and the MMCC will place a call to the client to a number or IP address listed for the client, and interactivity will then be through an interactive voice response unit. Help information specific to a client is updated in the client's wizard periodically according to ongoing transaction history with the MMCC. The wizard may also monitor client activity with the wizard and make reports available to various persons.

Abstract: A data communications network with a plurality of PoPs maintains a local database associated with each PoP and a central database somewhere on the data communications network. The local database contains a group identification such as a domain identification corresponding to a group of users, a maximum number of proxied sessions to provide the group of users at the PoP and a dynamic proxy session count corresponding to active proxied sessions currently provided to the group of users at the PoP. The central database contains a maximum number of proxied sessions to provide the group of users over the entire data communications network and a dynamic network-wide proxy session count corresponding to active proxied sessions currently provided to the group of users on the entire data communications network. Actions are taken when the group attempts to exceed either the local maximum number of sessions or the network-wide maximum number of sessions by more than a predetermined number.

Abstract: A panel arrangement is provided to collect access information relating to access by a plurality of panel members of a plurality of web sites. Each of the panel members accesses a corresponding web page stored at a central facility. The web page contains a URL for each of the web sites and an ID uniquely identifying the corresponding panel member. Each panel member transmits, either to each of the web sites corresponding to the URLs of the web page or to the central facility, the ID of the corresponding panel member and any panel member cookies which are stored by the panel member and which correspond to each of at least some of the URLs. Each of the web sites transmits, to the central facility, web site only that access information which relates to the panel members.

Abstract: A computer system provides authenticated access for a client computer over an insecure, public network to one of a plurality of destination servers on private, secure network, through the use of a client-side X.509 digital certificate. A firewall is disposed between the insecure, public network and the private network. A demilitarized zone (DMZ) proxy server intercepts messages destined for the destination servers, and forwards the intercepted messages through the firewall to a gateway on the private network. The gateway is configured to create a cookie, based on the selection of one of a several applications available on the private network. The cookie contains an identifier sufficient to identify the destination server corresponding to the selected application. Messages from the client computer include the cookie. The gateway processes the cookie and appends the identifier on a destination URL portion of the messages for routing.

Abstract: Non token-enabled devices are token-enabled using a token-enabler unit for operation in a distributed environment with mobile computing devices that reference documents using tokens. The mobile computing device is used to configure the token-enabler unit with identifying information of the non token-enabled device. The token-enabler unit, which is not operatively coupled to the non token-enabled device, is either fixedly attached or proximately located near the non token-enabled devices. In operation, mobile computing devices query the token-enabler unit for identifying information of the non token-enabled device, thereby seamlessly integrating the operation of non token-enabled devices with token-enabled devices.

Abstract: A technique for domain name resolution in a communication network having multiple overlapping address domains involves translating a destination host domain name into a destination host local address that is ambiguous within the communication network, and then translating the destination host local address into a unique destination host global address. A domain name system proxy uses a domain name system server in the destination address domain to translate the destination host domain name into the destination host local address, and uses a network address translator to translate the destination host local address into the destination host global address.

Abstract: A method of transferring electronic equivalents (32) of published items (18) is provided wherein bar codes (116, 118) are attached on the items (18) prior to distribution to subscribers (12). The bar codes (116, 118) are scanned by a bar code reader (22), formatted into a predetermined message format compatible with network protocols and transmitted to the associated publishing authority (30). Based on the bar code information, the publisher (30) will either push the requested electronic equivalent (32) or transfer a pointer to the user (12) to a network cite containing the requested electronic equivalent (32). Alternatively, the publisher (30) can push updates of published items (32) to users (12).

Abstract: A distributed network communication system implements a series of token exchange transactions similar to those used when passing browser cookies between an Internet server and a browser client. Rather than instigating a cookie exchange transaction from the Internet server to store information relevant to the server, according to this aspect of the present invention the proxy cookie is stored on the client side at the behest of the web proxy. To the browser client, the proxy cookie appears to be identical to any regular browser cookie; however, whenever the browser client presents a request for information to the proxy which is to be passed on to the Internet server, the proxy strips the proxy cookie from the request and uses it to identify the originator of the request. Based on this, the proxy can customize and personalize the client's information request as appropriate and pass it on to the Internet server.

Abstract: A data processing system and method are described for determining a physical location of a client computer system. The client and server computer systems are coupled together to form a local area network. Identifying information is associated with a tag. The client computer system transmits a wireless query signal to a physical region. In response to the tag being located within the physical region, the tag receives the wireless query signal. In response to a receipt of the query signal by the tag, the tag transmits a reply signal. The reply signal includes the identifying information. In response to a receipt of the reply signal by the client computer system, the physical location of the client computer system is determined utilizing the identifying information.

Abstract: A communication management system is adapted for a chat system provided in a computer network including a plurality of client workstations and a server computer linked thereto. The communication management system includes a log file recognizing part which recognizes recognizing a log file produced at a predetermined channel of the chat system during a chat session between the plurality of client workstations and the server computer even when the client workstation of concern is not connected to the channel of the chat system. A storage part stores the log file recognized by the log file recognizing part. A log file output part transmits the log file, stored by the storage part, through the computer network to an external communication device provided outside the chat system, when a log file request transmitted by the external communication device is received by the log file output part.