Abstract: Disclosed is a scalable, hierarchical, distributed network architecture and processes for the delivery of high-performance, end-to-end online multimedia services, including Internet services such as World Wide Web access. The network architecture connects a high-speed private backbone to multiple network access points of the Internet, to a network operation center, to a back office system, and to multiple regional servers in regional data centers. Each of the regional servers connects to several caching servers in modified head-ends, which in turn connect via fiber optics to many neighborhood nodes. Finally, each node connects via coaxial cable to multiple end-user systems. The processes include those for replicating and caching frequently-accessed content, and multicasting content customized per region or locality.

Abstract: Observation display method for dynamically changing on monitor screen an object symbol or image related to object information to be observed as observation object on a computer network which is specified by a push request and an observation display system using a computer network. In the present method and system, at a communication terminal for monitor, observation display information in which an object symbol or image related to object information to be observed is included is in advance prepared then the object information is specified by transmitting push request to a communication terminal for observation, while at a communication terminal for observation, the object information specified by the push request is observed then an event response notice, a reply about a change in the object information, is transmitted to the communication terminal for monitor every when an event occurs in conjunction with the object information specified by the push request and the object information is changed thereby.

Abstract: A method for target device discovery on a network is disclosed. The method includes multicasting a signal from a master initiator over the network. A unicast is received from a new target recently connected to the network where the new target is passive when no multicast signal from the master initiator is received. Then the new target is added to a list of targets connected to the network. The method concludes by sending out a next multicast to other initiators where the next multicast includes information regarding the adding of the new target to the network.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating between a client and a server using a generic, extensible, high-speed framework that separates clients and servers from the application layer and transport layer protocols commonly used for network communications. An application (client or server) specifies a uniform resource identifier (URI) to identify an interface for transmitting or receiving one or more messages and to identify the desired protocol and transport for communication. The invention, executing on the client and/or server, instantiates an object based on the URI to implement the specified protocol and transport for communication between the client and the server.

Abstract: A method of electronic payment for data transferred across a computer network from a server to a client by means of at least one router which forwards data. An electronic data request is sent from the client to the server via one or more routers. The server then sends electronic data to the client via one or more routers in response to said electronic data request. The electronic data is sent via a packet transfer protocol, in which each packet of data has associated with it a data field containing a value, which represents the commercial value of the requested data. Each router receives an incoming data packet, reads the value in the data field associated with the incoming data packet, calculates a new value based on the read value and the cost of forwarding the data packet, and forwards the data packet with the new value in the associated data field.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for selectively distributing messages to viewers. Specific embodiments provide systems, methods, apparatus and computer program products for distributing messages to viewers based upon information about potential viewers. In specific embodiments, targeted messages are made available to the client machines in response to client message requests by a server that takes the machine and/or user ID provided as part of the client request and queries the database to see if there are any messages pending for that user or that match that user's profile. Specific embodiments can provide a plurality of messages coupled together to form a campaign. The client can receive the campaign using available bandwidth unused by foreground applications, such as web browsers and the like.

Abstract: A computer system, method and apparatus includes: centrally managing user identification names and passwords that are assigned to users, target names of storage devices, addresses, and logical units; acquiring target names of storage devices and logical unit names from the user identification names and passwords obtaining the addresses of the storage devices from the user identification names, passwords, and target names; and dynamically creating access control information of the logical units for each session in an iSCSI session establishment processing. The system, method and apparatus enable sharing of storage devices so as to enable users to use logical units assigned to the users in any computers in a system using storage devices complying with the iSCSI protocol, connected to networks, such as IP networks, through node devices, such as cache devices and gateway devices.

Abstract: A streaming media assessment system comprises assessment servers, media clients, data collection points, helper agents, and report servers. An assessment tool is downloaded or otherwise installed on an end-user client machine and associated with its media player. An assessment server is in communication with the assessment tool over the network and can send control messages to conduct tests and gather information from the assessment tool. The client machine media player is controlled to stop and start by the assessment tool and it will provide measurements that can be forwarded to the assessment servers. Analyses are then produced by the assessment servers of the actual media streams that were received by many such client machine media players. The report servers issue various formatted reports for the system's sponsors and subscribers.

Abstract: A system and method communicates data from a web content provider to a wireless computing device (e.g., a PDA, a cellular phone) via a proxy server. The proxy server transforms web content “on-the-fly” into a streamlined format, optimizes it for display, and delivers it to the device, where it is progressively rendered by a browser installed on the device.

Abstract: A storage processor particularly suited to RAID systems provides high throughput for applications such as streaming video data. An embodiment is configured as an ASIC with a high degree of parallelism in its interconnections. The communications architecture provides saturation of user data pathways with low complexity and low latency by employing multiple memory channels under software control, an efficient parity calculation mechanism and other features.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for web switching without connection termination while providing content routing functionality. Content-aware web switches terminate incoming TCP connections and inspect the HTTP header to recognize the URL (content) being requested from a web server farm. This invention maps application layer information (URLs) to MPLS labels. This allows a standard MPLS switch to provide web switching functionality without terminating TCP connections. In addition to content routing, this method is applied for client session affinity, server load balancing and service differentiation. This invention also relates to using TCP port numbers instead of MPLS labels to achieve web-switching functionality through the use of a TCP router that translates IP address and port numbers.

Abstract: Smart card security is enhanced by making the smart card a two-piece device. Both parts of the smart card contain copies of user data and a processor, which executes program instructions stored in the smart card half so as to give each part of the two-part smart card security and intelligence. Both parts must be in communication with each other for the data in either card to be accessible and useable. By separating the two pieces, data compromise is virtually impossible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting network traffic includes selecting a major node in a major ring, where the major node corresponds to a first transmission opportunity encoded in the major ring. The major node specifies a minor node in a minor ring representing a virtual port. The method and apparatus also includes transmitting network traffic to a virtual connection that uses the virtual port. Alternatively, transmitting network traffic involves processing a schedule that includes a sequence of transmission opportunities encoded in a schedule ring and satisfying a minimum data rate for a scheduled virtual connection by processing a corresponding first minimum number of transmission opportunities from the schedule, each such transmission opportunity allocated by a schedule node to the scheduled virtual connection, where the schedule node is included in the schedule ring.

Abstract: A programmable data filtering/searching system for use with a data network. The primary programmable hardware-based filtering and searching portions of the system are integrated onto the same printed circuit board as the data storage device to facilitate efficient filtering and searching of data from a data stream coming from a memory storage device after being captured. In addition, the actual hardware and software used to perform the filtering and searching routines is programmable such that various filter and search criteria can be entered and utilized. The data filtering/searching system also uses metadata in addition to the captured data to minimize the time required to perform certain processes on the data from the data stream.

Abstract: A system and method for providing rendezvous nodes in a peer-to-peer networking environment is described. Rendezvous nodes preferably cache information about network resources that may be useful to peer nodes on a peer-to-peer network. In one embodiment, a network of rendezvous nodes may help peer nodes to discover network resources over long-range on the peer-to-peer network. Network resource may include, but may not be limited to peer nodes, peer groups, services, content, and communication channels. In one embodiment, rendezvous nodes may respond to discovery query messages from peer nodes. The discovery query messages may specify desired network resource information. In one embodiment, rendezvous nodes may provide route discovery for network resources. In one embodiment, a peer node may be pre-configured with a pre-defined set of rendezvous nodes to access on startup. These bootstrapping rendezvous may help the peer node discover network resources that it needs to start up.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communication between a mobile computer terminal and a host computer in a system in which it is necessary for the mobile computer terminal to send a message to the host computer at a particular time. The specific time at which the mobile computer terminal must send a message to the host computer is first determined. Then, a timer or clock is programmed to wake up the mobile computer terminal at the specific time. A sleep mode may be entered, which may be interrupted at the specific time to send the message. This will normally allow a mobile computer terminal to maintain its lease on an IP address despite being out of range of a wireless network.

Abstract: A server farm formed by a plurality of computer systems joined together by a network processor which transfers data exchanged with an external network supported by the server farm at a data rate substantially the same as the data flow rate of the network and related method

Abstract: A system and method for subscribing to a distribution by a subscriber which distributes a distribution package from a source database to a destination database. The system/method includes accessing a subscriber object upon receiving a distribution package distributed by a distributor, determining a working-context stored within the subscriber object, selecting a first object included in the distribution package, obtaining from the package a relative identifier for the first object or creating the relative identifier for the first object if the relative identifier is not included with the package, appending the relative identifier to the working-context, wherein a second identifier is created for the selected object and adding the selected object with the second identifier to the destination database.

Abstract: A system and method provide for establishment and use of permission sets for subscribers where client applications in a wireless communication environment are requesting location information for a particular wireless communications device from a provider of such information. The system described herein provides the capability for a wireless communications device operator to establish a profile wherein limitations may be placed on the provision of such location information based on such things as the requesting party, spatial and temporal limitations, as well as granularity. The system described herein may be further configured such that an authentication process is preformed for client application seeking location information which would require the registration of such client applications with a centralized processing system.

Abstract: A web-enabled microcontroller device is provided with both web server functions (310) and generic control and monitoring functions (312). The web-enabled microcontroller device may be embedded in domestic, commercial and industrial hardware. Integrated software for remotely controlling hardware by means of the microcontroller device combines control application code (312) and HTTP server code (310). One implementation of the microcontroller device has a microprocessor coupled to a physical communications unit, a ROM and a RAM. The protocol stack (314) associated with the HTTP server may be permanently coded into the ROM or loaded into the RAM as required. In another implementation, the physical communications unit includes a digital signal processor and a wireless access unit, thereby providing a web-enabled digital wireless access device.