Abstract: The present invention relates to a data storage processing apparatus and the object of the present invention is to provide storages including off-line media and to improve the usability of users as well as removing the unfairness among users. The resource of data storage processing will be divided and dynamically allocated and simultaneously various multiple storages in the resource of the data storage processing will be integrated in accordance with file systems and hierarchically arranged according to speeds and features, and file systems will be constructed on that hierarchical various multiple storages, and thus, users are able to access to the optional files making no distinction of various multiple storages and/or file system.

Abstract: A method and computer program product that overcomes the problem of intrasystem copying of data from one data structure to another while processing incoming packets of network data coming into the system off a communications network in an environment having an integrating component in between the network card device driver and the transport protocol driver that assigns system memory for packets to the respective drivers. The integrating component temporarily transfers ownership of the original data structure from the network card device driver to the transport protocol driver based on indication from the network card device driver, independent determination that the network card device driver can afford to temporarily release ownership, and determination of the transport protocol driver's ability to take ownership. The transport protocol driver will indicate receipt of ownership of the data structure and later explicitly release it.

Abstract: Platform-independent collaboration backbone and framework for forming virtual communities having virtual rooms with collaborative sessions. Demon logic is embedded in a room page as downloadable platform-independent instructions. The demon, when downloaded, is caused to be in communication with control logic and an application, which, for example, may itself be downloadable. The downloaded demon is also in communication with a server. The server is in communication with similarly-arranged, though not necessarily identical, clients, which for example may have the downloaded demon but a different arrangement of applications. The application at a first and second client node may collaborate by causing their respective demons to send messages from a predefined protocol to the server, which in turn will forward them to other relevant demons. Some of the messages are control messages which facilitate certain collaborative actions, such as joining a session or entering a room.

Abstract: In a computer system including a plurality of computers interconnected through a network, a specific computer A in the computer system manages the computer resource information and the operating condition information such as for a CPU, a file and a memory and the user resource information such as file data and a program of each computer of the computer system. When a user issues a request from a computer C to log in to the computer system, the request is reported to the computer A, and the information related to the user is returned to the computer C with reference to the user resource information held by the computer A. Then, the computer C acquires the file and the usable program held by the user in the computer system and executes a process, whereby the whole system can be used as resources of each user.

Abstract: Client/server negotiation of virtual display and/or printer device selection to control session attributes, job routing to customized subsystems, user access control, and so forth. Within the Telnet Protocol, sanctioned and used with the "DO, DONT, WILL, WONT" structure, during subnegotiation a client requests and a server agrees to a specific virtual device name for the session display and/or printer.

Abstract: An electronic mail processing system for distributing an e-mail message from a sender to recipients, which encourages the recipients to open, read, and reply to the e-mail message sent from the sender. An original e-mail message sent from a sender via a sender terminal is stored in an outgoing message storage unit. An outgoing mail information registration unit stores a list of recipients to whom the e-mail message should be delivered, as well as storing information on bonus points. A message sending unit encloses bonus point information in the e-mail message and distributes it to the recipients included on the list. Upon receipt of a reply message from one of the recipients, a reception process unit gives a predetermined number of bonus points to the recipient. Each recipient's bonus points are accumulated in a recipient information storage unit, and he/she can redeem his/her bonus points for gifts depending on the accumulated points.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for providing a general-purpose, multifunction, individually addressable, full-bandwidth bi-directional communication device with built-in Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) capabilities that connects a home or business user with ATM and other switched broadband digital networks in a convenient, adaptable, extensible manner at reasonable cost. The device supports a Document Services Architecture (DSA) and, in particular, supports agent-based communications (including interaction with an Agent Instance Service) to ensure well-behaved communications and fair allocation of network resources among users. The device can be used in a heterogeneous environment and with different types of networks and protocols. The full-bandwidth bi-directional communication and built-in AAA capabilities of the device distinguish it from other "set-top boxes.

Abstract: A dynamic synchronous collaboration framework utilizes a distributed synchronization point to permit synchronous collaboration of mobile agent objects in a distributed computer system. The framework simplifies agent collaboration for applications which divide a complex problem into multiple tasks and delegate tasks to multiple mobile agents. The collaboration framework also enables mobile agents within an application to perform synchronous collaboration with affiliated agents in the native language of an associated software application. Such collaboration is accomplished by joining collaborating agents to an agent group. Member agents periodically correlate results through a collaborative sharing within the agent group, and may adopt new behaviors based on the results of the collaboration.

Abstract: A push-based filtering of objects in a client-server hierarchy based on usage information. A method of annotating a push object with meta information on its content and/or urgency is also described. Objects can be staged at the server(s) to provide fast access when the filtered object is later requested. The PICS protocol may be used to communicate various types of information: e.g., by the content provider or a higher level proxy to annotate the object, including an urgency, a summary or title, a group classification, and/or an identity of the push; to convey usage or preference information on pushed objects up the hierarchy, including usage information and user preferences based on object group classifications; and to convey a staging status of each staged object down the hierarchy to improve caching efficiency. An object may include a content hierarchy such as a title, a summary and the full content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transparently providing a remote node with mobile network functionality. One embodiment of the present invention includes a remote node contacting a service provider to establish a remote connection with a home network. In response, the service provider generated an authentication request, on behalf of the remote node to obtain access to the home network. The service provider then sends the authentication request to an authentication server residing at the home network. The service provider then establishes, on behalf of the remote node, a remote connection between the remote node and the home network to enable packets to be transferred between the remote node and the home network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed in a network navigator for rapidly returning to a search engine network page while searching through a hierarchy of networked pages displayed within a computer system interface. Initially, a list of commonly utilized search engine network addresses is compiled. Next, a hierarchy of network addresses accessed by the network navigator during a network navigating session is compiled. Thereafter, the hierarchy of network addresses is scanned until a network address among the hierarchy of network addresses is identified that corresponds to a search engine network address listed in the list of commonly utilized search engine network addresses. Finally, the network navigator jumps to the network address corresponding to the search engine network address.

Abstract: A TN3270 server (26) that forwards a 3270 data stream from a Systems Network Architecture ("SNA") connection (28) to a Transmission Control Protocol ("TCP") connection (24) monitors the TCP connection for segments that acknowledge thereby-transmitted bytes. It also keeps track of the unacknowledged-byte window sizes specified by received TCP-connection segments. It responds with a pacing response to a pacing-request-containing SNA message only when forwarding of previously received information from the SNA can be completed without resulting in a number of unacknowledged bytes that exceeds the specified window size.

Abstract: A data processing architecture provides a common grouping of code that supports a diverse set of services and allows seamless access to these services by clients. The architecture is supported by several interrelated components. A Framework executable provides conforming DLLs specific to that service. System operation is enhanced by a Router that allocates service loading in accordance with demand and availability. Because a common code framework characterizes much of the complex communication coding, developers seeking to implement new services can concentrate on creating service functionality and rely on the Framework for this communication and navigation support.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling an External Device to a Host Computer, such that program code to be executed by the external device may be stored in the Host Computer memory and yet be essentially independent of the Host Computer. Hardware and software enable the logical displacement of a program and address bus across inter-processor interfaces. An External Device preferably provides direct access to program code stored within Host Computer memory by means of a conventional DMA function. Program code which is to be executed by the External Processor within the External Device is transferred from the Host Memory to an Instruction Buffer memory within the External Device. The External Processor determines when to request additional instructions from the Host Memory over the DMA channel on a timed interrupt basis.

Abstract: A data channel controller, coupleable to a base computer system including a base memory, for managing the transport of multiple data streams through a base system interface including a first buffer, a pool memory including a plurality of second buffers, and one or more peripheral devices each having a third buffer. An arbiter system is coupled to said pool memory for selectively enabling the transfer of data with respect to a predetermined first buffer in response to first and second request signals. The peripheral devices operate to transport data through their third buffers with respect to a peripheral interfaces characterized as each having a predetermined data transfer rate. The peripheral devices first request signals to the arbiter system under first predetermined conditions with respect to the presence of data in corresponding third buffers to obtain a transfer of data between corresponding second and third buffers.

Abstract: A variety of PC card interfaces to interface from many different types of input devices to Personal Digital Assistants or palmtop computers through PCMCIA slots. The disclosed interfaces can receive data in undecoded format from laser based, wand based or CCD based barcode scanning engines, decode the data to alphanumeric characters and pass the decoded data to the PDA via the PCMCIA 68 pin bus. Other PC card based interfaces are also disclosed which can accept input data in the form of ASCII or EBCDIC characters from virtually any type of input device which a standard serial or parallel output or custom output bus and input that data to the PDA through the PCMCIA bus. Some embodiments use programmed general purpose microprocessors to decode undecoded barcode scan data on the PC card. Other embodiments use custom-programmed, commercially available barcode decoding chips to decode incoming undecoded barcode scan data.

Abstract: By providing a plurality of virtual LAN's such that ports communicating according to one protocol are grouped and communication is performed between the ports in the group, a communication is possible according to a plurality of protocols and it is possible to enter into other virtual LAN's than a virtual LAN to which a connection is made.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed in a network application for decreasing performance degradation by preventing inadvertent launching of multiple copies of identical network applications. Initially, a remote application is launched from a server to a client in response to a user input event. Next, it is determined if a remote application identical to the remote application has already been launched. If the remote application has already been launched, an elapsed time since the identical remote application was initially launched is determined. Thereafter, the launching of the network application is terminated if the elapsed time is less than a preset value. Alternatively, if the elapsed time is greater than the preset value, the network application is launched. Additionally, if the elapsed time is greater than the preset value, a weighted value of applications running with the client is determined. Thereafter, the network application is launched if the weighted value is small.

Abstract: Applications are enabled to provide information about which hosts should receive data generated by each host in a collaborative system. The data flow information is enabled, and the way that data flows is calculated to be dynamically changed during the application's execution. This data flow customization is enabled within a generic communication infrastructure. The application's specification of the data distribution is decoupled from the low-level mechanisms used to actually disseminate data across the network.

Abstract: A processing machine has an electronic statement sending and receiving portion and a job process executing portion. The electronic statement sending and receiving portion sends and receives electronic statements that include a job process request, a job process result, a data access request, and a data access result to and from a network. The job process executing portion executes job processes corresponding to the electronic statements. A data machine has an electronic statement sending and receiving portion, a data storing portion, and a data accessing portion. The electronic statement sending and receiving portion sends and receives electronic statements that includes a data access request and a data access result to and from the network. The data storing portion stores data. The data accessing portion accesses data corresponding to the electronic statements. A man-machine interface machine has an electronic statement sending and receiving portion and a man-machine interfacing portion.