Abstract: A system is provided for receiving, managing, and distributing data to multiple data destinations. Data is received from at least one data source normalized into a standard configuration. An identifier is associated with the normalized data. The identifier associated with the normalized data indicates the type of data included in the normalized data. The normalized data is transmitted along with the associated identifier to the multiple of data destinations. Each data destination determines whether to retrieve or ignore the normalized data based on the identifier associated with the normalized data. The normalized data may be transmitted in a data packet that includes the identifier associated with the normalized data. In certain instances, the normalized data represents a two-dimensional array of data elements.

Abstract: A data processing method for a data processing system having: a server comprising an application program constructed from a plurality of objects, an execution environment constructed from a plurality of objects for specifying operations of the application program and an application program interface for specifying an interface between the application program and the execution environment; and a client for being downloaded with the application program from the server, the data processing method comprising the steps of: having the server execute a check whether or not the client has the execution environment for the application environment to be downloaded when the application program is to be downloaded to the client; and having the server download the application program to the client in accordance with the results of the check.

Abstract: A system and method for presence-based video and multimedia calling by which a workstation is dynamically associated with a user based on user log-in information so that video and multimedia calls are routed to at least one workstation at which that user is logged in. This allows a caller to place a video or multimedia call to a recipient without knowing the network address of the workstation at which the user is logged-in or the physical location of the recipient. The invention provides for detecting whether a participant is logged into the network and notifying the caller accordingly. The invention further provides for the routing of AV and data signals among workstations dispersed over multiple LANs, on different networks, or at different locations. Mulitple types of services and signal format standards may be supported within the same call. Network and workstation capabilities may be included as calls follow a user to any workstation in the system.

Abstract: A computer program product and storage device used for exchange and transfer of data in a network computing system having a main storage capable of connecting to at least one application server and an interface element with at least one adapter capable of establishing processing communication with at least one application user(s).

Abstract: A method for implementing a link level service in a computer network having a first port device and a second port device. Node identification data is stored in the second port device. A physical-layer communications coupling is provided between the first port device and the second port device which may be a point-to-point, loop, or switched circuit connection. The first port device sends a request node identification (RNID) message addressed to the second port device. The second port device creates an accept message and copies stored node identification data into the accept message. The second port device sends the accept message to the first port device.

Abstract: A multiple port adapter having a single MAC chip with a single I/O port has reduced logic circuits and I/O pins for transferring data between a host system and a TDM communication system. The MAC chip includes a transmit MAC and a receive MAC, each coupled at one end through the single I/O port to a port multiplexer and at the other end to respective storage registers. The port multiplexer is coupled to each port. Transmit and receive state registers track the state of each port in the transfer of data in the transmit and receive directions through the single I/O port. The storage registers are coupled through a host bus interface to a host bus and to the host system. Control logic is coupled to the storage register to control the transfer of data between the system and the storage registers. A port selector coupled between the multiplexer and the transmit and receive state registers selects ports for transfer of data in succession.

Abstract: A network match making system and method is used to match users of a multi-users networked application. Each user is associated with a client computer connected to the network. Clients are selected based on attributes of their users, the clients, servers, and/or communication links. The network match maker works with three different forms of network applications: peer-to-peer, multiple clients to a single server, and multiple clients to multiple servers. In one match maker method, a client computer and one multi-user application server are matched. A list of multi-user application servers connected to the computer network that are available for a match is received. At least one communication attribute of respective data communication links between the client computer and a plurality of multi-application servers in the received list is measured. An additional attribute, such as a server attribute, is received from at least one of the plurality of multi-user application servers.

Abstract: A computerized switching system for coupling a workstation to a remotely located computer. A signal conditioning unit receives keyboard and mouse signals generated by a workstation and generates a data packet which is transmitted to a central crosspoint switch. The packet is routed through a crosspoint switch to another signal conditioning unit located at a remotely located computer. The second signal conditioning unit applies the keyboard and mouse commands to the keyboard and mouse connectors of the computer as if the keyboard and mouse were directly coupled to the remote computer. Video signals produced by the remote computer are transmitted through the crosspoint switch to the workstation. Horizontal and vertical sync signals are encoded on to the video signals to reduce the number of cables that extend between the workstation and the remote computer.

Abstract: A trace facility for a computer system attachment network, a method for operating that network, and trace tools in the network. The network has a plurality of the trace tools, each connected to a communication path, the trace facility providing a system wide trace. The trace facility comprises at least one trace buffer at each trace tool. Each trace tool has an address filter selecting an address range of information on the bus, the information being communicated on the bus as events, and storing the selected event information in the trace buffers, thereby conducting a trace. A breakpoint connection is provided interconnecting each of the trace tools. A trace tool control at each trace tool responds to a trace stop command addressed to the trace tool, to stop the trace at its address filter and trace buffer, and to issue a breakpoint signal on the breakpoint connection to all the interconnected trace tools.

Abstract: A user of an intranet or internet web browser requests a page of data from a gateway server, and the gateway server requests the page from a host. The host reads the data from storage and builds a first data stream that includes command verbs within comments and other text data and transmits the first data stream to the gateway server. The gateway server scans the first data stream for comments and parses the comments to identify command verbs and executes the commands to set control switches of the gateway server. Then the gateway server builds a second data stream depending on the setting of the control switches. The second data stream includes the comments containing the command verbs and at least parts of the text data of the first data stream. The second data stream may also include additional text, graphics, and additional commands embedded in the text.

Abstract: A data processing method for a data processing system having: a server comprising an application program constructed from a plurality of objects, an execution environment constructed from a plurality of objects for specifying operations of the application program and an application program interface for specifying an interface between the application program and the execution environment; and a client for being downloaded with the application program from the server, the data processing method comprising the steps of: having the server execute a check whether or not the client has the execution environment for the application environment to be downloaded when the application program is to be downloaded to the client; and having the server download the application program to the client in accordance with the results of the check.

Abstract: An information/entertainment system having a number of interactive input and output devices is provided. Each interactive input device is electrically connected to a selected output device using a host that communicates with a router apparatus. The router apparatus includes a plurality of emulation assemblies. Each emulation assembly is configured to communicate input information to a particular interactive output device. Input information from a particular interactive input device is received and properly handled by a pre-configured emulation assembly which is electrically connected to the interactive output device associated with that particular interactive input device. This emulation assembly formats the information/data that it receives so that it is acceptable to the interactive output device to which it is connected. The host obtains input information using a slot/subslot arrangement associated with interactive interrogations or polling.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system and method comprising a plurality of workstations, providing AV capture and reproduction facilities, interconnected by a network providing an AV path for carrying signals representing videoconference participants. The system and method includes one or more of a remote participant hold selection mechanism and a remote participant disconnection mechanism. The remote participant hold selection mechanism is operable to place at least one of the other participants on hold, during a videoconference call among a hold-activating participant and a plurality of other participants. The remote participant disconnection mechanism is operable by a participant teleconference call among the participant and a plurality of the other participants without disconnecting the remaining participants.

Abstract: A method for retrieving information, including designating at least one word appearing in a display of a body of text generated by a first computer. Responsive to the designation, the at least one designated word is automatically transmitted via a network to a second computer. Data relating to the at least one designated word are received from the second computer.

Abstract: The invention interconnects stacks executing the same protocol in the same node by means of a software implemented input/output device, thereby eliminating the need for physical resources otherwise required for data communication between the stacks. First and second connection objects are built in the virtual device in association with the first and second stacks, respectively. An association is also built between the first and second connection objects, thereby enabling communication between the stacks via the first and second connection objects.

Abstract: A distributed server for real-time collaboration is substituted for a centralized server to address the problem of the development of unacceptable communication and computation bottlenecks resulting from the use of a one-software-process-based centralized server running somewhere on the available network. The substitute distributed server improves scaleability of real-time collaboration by being based on multiple, independently-communicating, asynchronous, independent (i.e., no shared memory, data, variables, etc.) software processes. The processes can be distributed to multiple machines throughout the network and run simultaneously in order to avoid the centralized server's bottlenecks. To be used, a distributed server requires a disjoint, fully covering partitioning of a work space, wherein it can handle partition hierarchies and groups comprehensively. The distributed server solution is general because of the ability of distributed servers to work with different definitions of a modification.

Abstract: A data processing system and method are described for remotely accessing a client computer system's individual initialization settings. The client computer system is coupled to a server computer system to form a local area network. The server computer system transmits a command to the client computer system to access a selected one of the client computer system's initialization settings. In response to a receipt of this command by the client computer system, the client computer system accesses only selected ones of the initialization settings. The client computer system may be powered off while the initialization setting is accessed.

Abstract: A method and a multiprotocol network CD-ROM server for providing computer network users possibility to share information on CD-ROM, regardless of other file servers and their locations. The CD-ROM server is a self contained piece of hardware. It provides users connected to different computer networks, using various network protocols, shared access to information of any CD-ROM disc inserted into a connected CD-ROM drive.

Abstract: A portal server presents an HTML page that comprises a plurality of modules that are formatted in a predetermined layout. Each module represents a network resource that can be accessed by a user through the portal. Some of the modules can be user-selectable, whereas others may be mandatory elements of the portal. Similarly, some aspects of the layout may be user-controllable, while others are fixed. The modular nature of the portal enables the various resources to be readily and independently updated by the entities who provide them, without affecting other features of the portal. The portal server includes an administration interface that enables an administrator to select from various layout styles, as well as control access to site information and services. A variety of customizations can be done to the portal without requiring programming skills. As a result, individual businesses and other entities can exercise complete ownership of their portals, from a hosting, branding and design perspective.

Abstract: A method in a computing network environment for host partition computers to share a multicast communication adapter connected to a local area network. Each host partition sends information identifying the host application as well as a multicast addressing protocol to the shared multicast communication adapter. The communication adapter registers the information and directs inbound multicast packets from the LAN to the appropriate host partition application. In a preferred embodiment, the communication adapter registers the information according to the IP multicast address. In a preferred embodiment, a counter is employed in the communication adapter to maintain a count of the number of host applications that are registered. The invention further provides a method for un-registering a host partition application.