Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for selectively acquiring and targeting online advertising inventory based on users' Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. In one aspect of the invention, Web publishers are made aware of IP addresses of interest, determined by matching attributes of current Internet users for whom IP addresses are known and targeting attributes of ad campaigns. Then, for each site visitor from one of said IP addresses, publishers choose whether to supply ad inventory to fulfill the immediate demand. Another aspect of the invention provides for targeting of online ads based on updated user IP addresses and some associated personal data provided by ISPs. An embodiment of the invention provides for a localized online advertising network in which ad inventory is selectively acquired from web sites, as required to fulfill immediate advertiser demand, and targeted by user zip code, as registered with users' ISPs.

Abstract: Dynamic inter-operability of nodes in services grids can be provided. In some cases, different version service nodes in a service grid can communicate using an inter-operability service to, for example, convert messages from one format associated with a version of a service node to another format associated with another version of a service node. Also, the message format may be converted from a current (e.g., newer) version of a node to another format which is compatible with an older version of a service node. The inter-operability service can be provided as a web service that is separate from the service nodes in the grid. The inter-operability service is associated with at least one of the service nodes in the grid and is available thereto via, for example, an administrative call by the associated service node.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for verifying the integrity of web server content. One method receives results from a client-resident integrity program operating on a client computer. The client-resident integrity program verifies integrity of a web resource communicated from a web server to the client computer. The method also receives results from a server-resident integrity program operating on the web server. The results are then merged and presented at a computer system.

Abstract: An electronic mail inbox uses a mail agent to categorize incoming electronic mail to facilitate more flexible and rapid viewing and possible response thereto. Several special functions for collection of regularly sent types of mail, such as newsletters, office memos, press releases, etc., are utilized. In addition, special menu items are provided for collection and presentation of different priority items, such as urgent correspondence and approval requests. The electronic mail inbox facilitates multiple viewing options so that collections of regularly sent or different priority types of mail may be viewed separately and/or interleaved with other items in a main mail inbox. In addition, items that require an affirmative response, such as approval requests, may include a special preview format that allows for rapid viewing of pertinent details and approval directly from the mail inbox without review of the complete item.

Abstract: If a new AV device is connected to an IEEE 1394 network, and if the subunit type of the newly connected AV device is an unregistered subunit type, then a microprocessor of a gateway downloads a CGI and a Web page generation module, both corresponding to the newly connected AV device, to the gateway from an information device on an IP network or from the newly connected AV device. Thus, using the Web page generation module corresponding to the newly connected AV device, the microprocessor of the gateway can automatically generate a Web page to operate such new AV device.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that enable an application to prioritize its traffic in an application-specific manner, such that traffic which is most important to this application can be prioritized over traffic that is less important to this application, where this prioritization information is reflected in differential treatment of the traffic within the network. An application conveys relative priority information for its traffic to a Web proxy or edge server, and this device then consults stored policy information to determine how the traffic should be prioritized in the network. The Web proxy also ensures that usage of network resources is balanced among multiple applications. Cookies are used for transmitting priority information between the edge server and application in an efficient manner.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for managing data used by mobile devices. Data can be retrieved from a second computing device (e.g. a server) where it is stored on a storage medium (e.g. a disk). A subset of the data of a data record stored in the storage medium, or one or more pointers to the data of a data record stored on the storage medium is stored in a memory of the mobile device so that it is not necessary to store a given data record in its entirety in the memory of the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing accelerated data storage and retrieval utilizing lossless data compression and decompression. A data storage accelerator includes one or a plurality of high speed data compression encoders that are configured to simultaneously or sequentially losslessly compress data at a rate equivalent to or faster than the transmission rate of an input data stream. The compressed data is subsequently stored in a target memory or other storage device whose input data storage bandwidth is lower than the original input data stream bandwidth. Similarly, a data retrieval accelerator includes one or a plurality of high speed data decompression decoders that are configured to simultaneously or sequentially losslessly decompress data at a rate equivalent to or faster than the input data stream from the target memory or storage device. The decompressed data is then output at rate data that is greater than the output rate from the target memory or data storage device.

Abstract: A method for visually programming an instruction set for a process is proposed. The method is based on receiving a request to design the process, providing a process designer interactive display, storing a library containing at least one function, accepting via the process designer interactive display function-related information concerning the function, outputting via the process designer interactive display a graphical representation of the function-related information, and generating the instruction set for the process based upon the function and the function-related information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a graphical user interface includes a web mail reply form with one or more address fields; an input area for inputting a reply message; and a plurality of response options selectable by a user. In response to selection of a reply response option by the user, one or more of the address fields in the reply form are changed while maintaining the reply message in the input area. In response to selection of a reply-to-all response option by the user, one or more of the address fields in the reply form are changed while maintaining the reply message in the input area. In response to selection of a forward response option by the user, one or more of the address fields in the reply form are changed while maintaining the reply message in the input area.

Abstract: A network switch having a unified, adaptive management paradigm for wireless network devices is disclosed. The switch includes configurable ports for connecting devices. A software application running on the switch allows a network administrator to selectively configure each port to support either a wired device or wireless device. Configuration information and software images that are needed for operation of the wireless device are associated with the port. When a wireless device is first plugged into the switch port, it downloads its configuration directly from the switch port. By storing the configuration information and images at the switch and automatically downloading them to the wireless devices, the task of configuring the devices is greatly simplified for the network administrator. This is particularly advantageous in heterogeneous network environments that support both wired and wireless devices, and where wireless device are readily moved to different ports.

Abstract: A data communications network may be browsed using one or more tokens by receiving an input keyword string from a user, determining whether there is a match between the input keyword string and a database of keyword strings, determining a category of the keyword string, rendering to the user at least one service identifier associated with the category, receiving a user-selected service identifier in response to the rendering, substituting at least one variable in a resource locator template associated with the service with a string based at least in part on the keyword string entered by the user and launching the resource locator. According to one aspect, a special rendering of a hyperlink corresponding to the resource locator is used to indicate private data will be disclosed upon launching the resource locator.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus for sampling data flows in a data network in order to estimate a total data volume in the network. Sampling the data flows in the data network reduces the network resources that must be expended by the network to support the associated activity. The present invention enables the service provider of the data network to control sampled volumes in relation to the desired accuracy. The control can be either static or can be dynamic for cases in which the data volumes are changing as a function of time.

Abstract: A data sending apparatus, on sending data to a receiving apparatus, searches its storage for a transmission method to the receiving apparatus. After sending data to the receiving apparatus, the sending apparatus receives from the receiving apparatus a transmission result including a transmission condition and capabilities of the receiving apparatus. When an error occurs during the data transmission, the sending apparatus reads the communication and processing capabilities of the receiving apparatus from the transmission result, and resends the data by a transmission method in accordance with the receiving apparatus. It then acquires the transmission result and stores the same in the storage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the estimation of traffic matrices in a network are disclosed. Mechanisms are disclosed for measuring traffic volume from a plurality of ingress points to a plurality of egress points in a large scanl network, such as an IP backbone network. The traffic matrix is advantageously inferred from widely available link load measurements such as SNMP data.

Abstract: A method and system are directed towards balancing loads on an authentication system. The system employs a first authentication server that is configured to authenticate a user. The system includes a master authentication server. When the master authentication server determines that a load on it has reached a pre-determined value, a data store associated with the master authentication server is partitioned between authentication servers that assume a master authentication server role for its partition of the data store. In one embodiment, each new master authentication server is further enabled to partition its respective partition of the data store, if their respective loads reach the pre-determined value.

Abstract: A method for enhancing port allocation procedures in a computer network by reserving specific ports to particular users and processes. Access protocol for ports are modified to enable a system administrator to defined/pre-select particular users and processes that may access the specific ports. A table structure is provided with the list of users and processes with bind authority for the particular port. When a bind request is received the ID of the user or process is confirmed against those within the table of the requested port. Bind access is provided only when the user ID or process ID matches one that is within the table. The port is allocated to the user/program until the user/process is complete, and other requests for access to the port are ignored until final completion of the ongoing process, even when a temporary disconnect of the port occurs.

Abstract: Mechanisms and techniques provide a data acquisition basic input output system between a central controller and a set of modules networked to the central controller. The central controller obtains at least one command to be sent to at least one module of the set of modules networked to the central controller and composing a request message containing the command. The request message has an associated timing pattern selected from a plurality of available timing patterns, such as a fixed timing pattern or a variable timing pattern. The central controller transmits the request message to the module(s) according to the associated timing pattern and receives, according to the associated timing pattern, a response message from the module(s). The data acquisition basic input output system communications do not require reliance on transport layer protocols or collision avoidance techniques.

Abstract: A computer system accesses a list of connections. The list of connections identifies computers, protocols, and/or types of connections that can be used. The computer system attempts to establish a connection to a server. While establishing the connection, the computer system can store a user's credential. If the connection to the server fails, the computer system attempts to access a connection from the list, and uses the stored user credential (if it exists) to authenticate the user on the new connection without requesting the credential anew from the user.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program product for waking a link layer based on data included in a network packet. A sending computer system and a receiving computer system are connected to a common network, such as, for example, an IEEE 1394 network. A physical layer at the receiving computer system receives a network packet from the sending computer system. The physical layer parses a plurality of bytes of packet data contained in the received network packet. The receiving computer system compares at least a portion of the packet data to rule data in a physical layer rule register. Based on the results of the comparison, it is determined if the physical layer is to assert a link on signal that, when received at a corresponding link layer, wakes the corresponding link layer.