Abstract: A software intelligent Agent, and rules provided thereto by a user, screen and process data objects, for example an e-mail message, in accordance with said rules. Actions taken by the Agent to process a data object in accordance with rules associated with the object are entered into an activity record and the activity record is injected into the body of the data object, for example pre-pended into an e-mail message as the first body part of the message. This obviates the need for a user to remember the rules or to remember what actions were taken by the Agent.

Abstract: Mechanisms for associating metadata with network resources, and for locating the network resources in a language-independent manner, are disclosed. Owners of network resources define metadata that describes each network resource. The metadata may include a natural language name of the network resource, its location, its language, its region or intended audience, and other descriptive information. The owners register the metadata in a registry. A copy of the metadata is stored on a server associated with a group of the network resources. A copy of the metadata is stored in a registry that is indexed at a central location. A crawler service periodically updates the registry by polling the information on each server associated with registered metadata. To locate a selected network resource, a client provides the name of the network resource to a resolver process. The resolver process provides to the client the network resource location corresponding to the network resource name.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for observing the execution of an application program (APP) loaded into an information processing system, characterized in that by means of pickups (32), nonperturbing recording is performed, at predetermined points of the system, of instantaneous information units relating to the program being executed and/or its information processing operating context; optionally, the information units are memorized in accordance with a grid pre-established in a status table (TE) incorporated in an observation memory (MO); and access to the status table (TE) is authorized, particularly in the reading mode, for programs (SER) outside the observed program being executed.

Abstract: A destination website access system employs a bar code reader cooperating with a personal computer or workstation for accessing a unique destination website through a remote Internet service provider (ISP). The address of the unique destination website is embedded within a visibly displayed bar code on a visible medium. In turn, the bar code on the visible medium is scanned and the workstation automatically connects the workstation to the destination website. An intermediary website stores (for further usage) the identities of (i) the workstation; (ii) the visible medium; and/or (iii) the destination website.

Abstract: A method for using an authentication server to obtain dial-out information about a network including the steps of receiving a destination network address to the authentication server; obtaining a network number and a corresponding network mask from a database; applying said network mask to said destination network address and comparing the result to said network number; retrieving a profile corresponding to said network number and network mask from a database if said network number matches the result of applying said network mask to said destination network address; and repeating said obtaining, applying, and retrieving steps if said network number does not match the result of applying said network mask to said destination network address.

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; andhaving the server download the application program to the client in accordance with the results of the check.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining a unique reserve command relationship between an initiator and a target device in a Fibre Channel network across network address changes after a break in communication. The present invention maintains triplet tables containing data triplets, comprised of the network address, the port name, and the node name, for each initiator and each target device. Following a break in network communication that results in the network address of an initiator and/or a target device changing, the method of the present invention updates the recorded network addresses for the initiators and the target devices, maintains any previously-existing unique reserve command relationships and continues with I/O transmission. Although the network address of an initiator may change, the node name and port name of the initiator will remain the same.

Abstract: A system is provided for the remote control of one computer from another in which selectable compression speeds are utilized to minimize overall screen refresh time. In one embodiment, an algorithm selection module at one computer chooses the highest compression available corresponding to a worst case scenario, followed by measurement of the compression time and the transmission time, with the ratio of compression time to transmission time being used to select a decreased compression, thereby to lower compression time and consequently lower the overall screen refresh time. By adjusting both the send time and the compression time on the transmit side, the above ratio can be made to equal one, which corresponds to the most efficient utilization of the available bandwidth and CPU power, which in turn translates into the quickest screen refresh time for the remote control operation.

Abstract: A network connection between an origination node (30-1) and a destination node (40) is dynamically determined and established during a tele/datacommunications session. At commencement of the session the originating node provides (i) an address of the destination node, and (ii) a set of prescribed quality connection parameters. During the session, the set of prescribed quality connection parameters is used by a quality connection server (20) to determine an acceptable sequence of links between the originating node and the destination node. In accordance with the determination, the quality connection server sets up connections over the acceptable sequence of links whereby data packets are transmitted between the originating node and the destination node during the session.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a section map may be used which utilizes a series of section maps, each section map including a predetermined number of bits, such as 32 bits. Each section map may include a single bit which indicates what is stored in the first 15 bits. For example, the last 16 bits of a section map may indicate whether the first 16 sections have been received. Another bit may be used to indicate what is stored in the first 15 bits. For example, the first 15 bits may indicate whether the next 15 sections have been received, or they may indicate an index pointing to the next section map.

Abstract: A procedure for obtaining a copy of a data object is disclosed. A client computer provides a server computer, such as a proxy server, a firewall or a gateway, with a request for a data object. The request includes a location-independent identifier associated with the desired data object is obtained. The server computer interrogates a cache to determine whether a copy of the data object is cached. If the data object is cached, the server computer obtains a copy of the cached data object from the cache. If the data object is not cached, the server computer performs a network call to obtain a new copy of the data object.

Abstract: A protocol translation cable assembly includes a first connector having a first plurality of pins, a second connector having a second plurality of pins, and an electrical cable coupling the first connector to the second connector, where the electrical cable includes a plurality of conductors. The protocol translation cable assembly further includes translation circuitry coupled to at least some of the plurality of wires of the electric cable at points between the first plurality of pins of the first connector and the second plurality of pins of the second connector. The translation circuitry preferably derives its power from the electrical cable such that separate power supplies are not required. The cable assembly therefore provides transparent "plug-and-play" capabilities.

Abstract: To determine the name that specifies the Systems Network Architecture logical-unit-characteristics set that a host (12) systems services control point is to associate with a TN3270 server (18) logical-unit process that is to represent a client terminal (14), the server (18) generates the name from the client's device type algorithmically, i.e., without looking the name up in a server-maintained table entered by using the device type as the key. This eliminates the need for server updates when new device types are introduced. Additionally, the algorithm used to generate the name depends on whether the client has negotiated to receive a copy of the data transmitted in the BIND message by which another logical unit initiates a session with the logical unit that will represent the client. In that way, the host's systems services control point can send the client data streams in the form that it expects, and the server is relieved of the need to perform any translation.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is disclosed that, in use, is connected with a host apparatus, receives recording information from the host apparatus by direct memory access ("DMA") and can print received recording information by using a recording head. A first memory access circuit receives recording information from the host apparatus by DMA. A second memory access circuit supplies received recording information to the recording head with a timing appropriate for recording, using DMA. A priority circuit controls the respective priorities assigned to various types of DMA to ensure that all types of DMA demands can be accommodated within an acceptable length of time.

Abstract: A network match making system and method is used to match users of a multi-user 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, remote server computers and client computers are matched. A match maker receives a plurality of client requests and a plurality of server requests. At least two instances of client programs and at least one instance of server programs are selected based on client and server attributes.

Abstract: Dynamically transforming transfer parameters for a media object to allow efficient transmission of the object from a first system to a second system. The transformer may receive transfer feedback and is configured such that it dynamically modifies system constraints or object formatting to overcome system limitations which may slow the transfer. The invention may be integrated into an internet service provider's (ISP) system structure and used to dynamically determine the transfer parameters between the ISP and the end-user. After the ISP accesses a requested internet site and its web site server, a media object from the web site is transferred to the ISP. The ISP transfers the information to the end-user and, during the transfer, receives system feedback regarding bandwidth availability, performance, information latency, and other items of interest. Using this feedback, transfer parameters are automatically selected to increase efficiency of system resources for subsequent media transfers.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a stolen computer or other electrical device is implemented by special programming stored in a program storage device. When an e-mail is being sent from the stolen electronic device, the sender address is compared to an owner address. If the sender address does not match the owner address, the e-mail is redirected or copied to e.g. a law-enforcement agency or a stolen-computer registry address.

Abstract: A digital delay line, comprising adjustable digital delay elements coupled in series, receives and buffers a packet bit stream. The outputs of selected adjustable digital delay elements are tapped for determining in parallel the destination address bits of the packet. The packet is routed at the end of the digital delay line to the destination indicated by the destination address bits.

Abstract: A system and a method for monitoring a computer network to detect data packets including audio or video data, such packets being part of a communication session, for storing these packets and for reconstructing the communication session upon request.

Abstract: A computerized method for load balancing in a geographically distributed or clustered system is disclosed. An arbiter assigns clients to nodes. The arbiter partitions clients into groups based on their request load. Each group is dynamically scheduled among nodes, thus avoiding high load groups from being allocated to the same node and overloading the system. If one of the nodes becomes overload, an alarm is generated, so that fewer or no new clients are allocated to the overloaded node.