Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for targeting the delivery of advertisements over a network such as the Internet are disclosed. Statistics are compiled on individual users and networks and the use of the advertisements is tracked to permit targeting of the advertisements of individual users. In response to requests from affiliated sites, an advertising server transmits to people accessing the page of a site an appropriate one of the advertisement based upon profiling of users and networks.

Abstract: A network file server includes an integrated cached disk array and a plurality of data mover computers linking the cached disk array to the data network for file access. Each data mover computer maintains a local cache of file directory information including locking information of locked files that are accessible through the data mover. A cache consistency scheme ensures that shared locking information is consistent in the local caches. In a preferred embodiment, the cache consistency scheme uses an internal data link to pass messages between the data movers. The file directory information in the local cache includes information mapping file names to a list of logical blocks for each file name, file attributes that affect data access, and locking information down to a block level of granularity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for transmitting the same data to more than one client node substantially simultaneously. In one embodiment the invention relates to a method for transmitting the same data substantially simultaneously from an application executing on a server node to at least two client nodes.

Abstract: A computer system comprising a microprocessor architecture capable of supporting multiple processors comprising a memory array unit (MAU), an MAU system bus comprising data, address and control signal buses, an I/O bus comprising data, address and control signal buses, a plurality of I/O devices and a plurality of microprocessors. Data transfers between data and instruction caches and I/O devices and a memory and other I/O devices are handled using a switch network port data and instruction cache and I/O interface circuits. Access to the memory buses is controlled by arbitration circuits which utilize fixed and dynamic priority schemes.

Abstract: In a data processing system having a plurality of queues for prioritizing I/O requests to a storage device, the priority of the queues for servicing is dynamically adjustable as opposed to each queue having a fixed priority. Dynamically adjusting the priority of a queue allows the priority of a queue with "stuck" requests to be raised so the "stuck" requests can be serviced very quickly.

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 message-passing protocol for accommodating early arrival messages passed between source and destination nodes in a computer system with a plurality of asynchronous computing nodes interconnected by bidirectional asynchronous communications channels. The protocol includes transmitting the message from sender to receiver without waiting for a request for the message from the receiver; determining at the receiver if a receive buffer has been posted for the message; and if the receive buffer has not been posted for the message, then either truncating the message by storing its message header in an early arrival queue at the receiver and discarding its data or allocating a temporary receive buffer at the receiver to hold the message data.

Abstract: A data processing system having a client system, a server system for connection to the client system, and a remote user terminal for connection to the server system. The client stores application code which is executed on receipt of a remote access request to generate output requests which are communicated to the server. The terminal issues the remote access request to the server. The output requests are display requests directed to manipulating the display screen, and non-display requests which can be processed independently of the terminal. The server forwards the remote access request to the client, stores decoding code, sends the decoding code to the terminal on detection of the remote access request, receives the output requests from the client, generates responses to the non-display requests on behalf of the terminal, returns the responses generated to the client and forwards the display requests to the terminal.

Abstract: A data transmission method for transmitting data from a first processing unit having a relatively large memory capacity to a second processing unit having a relatively small memory capacity. The method has steps of (a) retrieving data stored in a first memory device, (b) storing in a temporary file only a record, from the retrieved data, relating to a predetermined time period including a current date; (c) determining whether or not the size of the temporary file is within the capacity of a second, smaller capacity, memory device; and (d) transferring the temporary file to the second processing unit in response to an affirmative result of the step (c), or not transferring the temporary file to the second processing unit in response to a negative result of the step (c).

Abstract: A computer network based digital information library system employing authentication and encryption protocols for the secure transfer of digital information library programs to a client computer system and a mobile digital information playback device removably connectable to the client computer system. The present invention is a computer network based library and information delivery system for accessing and obtaining selected digital information files.

Abstract: A computer system includes multiple local buses to which processors and other devices may be connected. A repeater is coupled to each of the local buses. Additionally, a top level repeater is coupled to each of the repeaters. The repeaters transmit transactions from the corresponding local buses to the top repeater. The top repeater, based upon the local or global nature of the transaction, transmits the transaction to one or more of the repeaters. The repeaters receiving the transaction then transmit the transaction upon the local buses attached thereto. If the transaction is a local transaction, the top repeater transmits the transaction to those repeaters which are configured into a local domain with the repeater which detected the initial transaction. The local domain comprises one or more repeaters which are logically interconnected. The local buses attached thereto logically form one SMP bus to which devices may be attached. Alternatively, the transaction may be a global transaction.

Abstract: In a multi-processor system including a plurality of processing units each having a cache memory, the processing units each include a synchronization counter for indicating a present synchronization state of the respective processing unit, and a cache state table for holding information regarding the respective entries of the cache memory. The cache state table includes a cache state and a cache synchronization count. The cache state holds the respective cache state used in a cache protocol. The cache synchronization count holds a value of the synchronization counter when an entry is loaded. A cache protocol in the multi-processor system is simplified to realize a high-speed processing.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing software applications and data to many thousands of clients over a network. The applications are called "channels", the server is called the "transmitter", and the client is called the "tuner". The use of channels is based on subscription. The end-user needs to subscribe to channel before it can be executed. When the end-user subscribes to a channel the associated code and data is downloaded to the local hard-disk, and once downloaded the channel can be executed many times without requiring further network access. Channels can be updated automatically at regular intervals by the tuner, and as a result the end-user is no longer required to manually install software updates, instead these software and data updates are automatically downloaded and installed in the background.

Abstract: The invention concerns placing an exploratory telephone call to a party, using a first telephone channel, in order to inquire whether the party wishes to hold a video conference. If the party does, the caller then actuates the invention, which establishes an initial video conference on a second data channel, without disrupting the existing telephone call. Then, after the video conference has been established, the exploratory telephone call is terminated, and the first channel is used to carry the video conference data, along with the second channel.

Abstract: A conference server system, for internal use in the public switched telephone network (PSTN), links to public data communication networks (e.g. the Internet) for distributing computer displayable data between participants in voice telephone conferences. The server system includes a computer sub-system for storing data generated by the participants and distributing the data in coordination with voice presentations of respective participants. Data so stored and distributed includes computer-displayable data. Other data handled by the computer subsystem represents commands and functional requests issued by participants which pertain to the handling of computer-displayable data and voice parameters of the conference. Conference participants, having separate and concurrent access to both the PSTN and the data network, receive and view computer-displayable data prepared by one of the participants in coordination with the respective voice conference.

Abstract: A multimedia collaboration system that integrates separate real-time and asynchronous networks--the former for real-time audio and video, and the latter for control signals and textual, graphical and other data--in a manner that is interoperable across different computer and network operating system platforms and which closely approximates the experience of face-to-face collaboration, while liberating the participants from the limitations of time and distance. These capabilities are achieved by exploiting a variety of hardware, software and networking technologies in a manner that preserves the quality and integrity of audio/video/data and other multimedia information, even after wide area transmission, and at a significantly reduced networking cost as compared to what would be required by presently known approaches. The system architecture is readily scalable to the largest enterprise network environments.

Abstract: A network providing a server using an object-database enables an author to create and store an original document, as a source file with a first format. Software in the data base will provide multiple sets of shadow file-converter groups connected to the source file of the original document. Each shadow file-converter set enables the transformation of the original source file format into a particular other specific type of format. Any client or user of the network can access and receive a copy of the original source document which is automatically reformatted to match the requirements of the receiver's appliance. Thus, one original source document can be created and then published in any specific format to multiple numbers of and type of receiving appliances.

Abstract: The system and method is disclosed for remotely controlling an application program over a network. The system includes an application interception module and remote display module. The remote display module is transported across the network and executed on the user system in response to a user's request to provide on-demand remote control of an application program. The application interception module captures an I/O stream generated by an application program, converts it to remote control protocol messages and transports them across a network to the remote display module executing in the user system. The remote display module converts the remote control protocol messages to system calls compatible with the operating system environment for the users computer. Likewise, the remote display module converts system calls to the local resource interface in the user's computer to remote control protocol messages which are transported across the network to the application interception module.

Abstract: A parallel multiprocessor data processing system having a plurality of nodes for processing data and a switch connected to each of said nodes for switching messages between the nodes, each node having a node processor for defining messages under program control to be sent to another node. Each of the nodes has an I/O processor for controlling the sending of messages to another node via the switch, and a shared memory which can be accessed by both the node processor and the I/O processor. Instructions for the messages to be sent by the I/O processor are stored in mailboxes in the shared memory by the node processor. A comparing circuit compares addresses on the bus to the contents of a plurality of address registers and sets the corresponding bit in a results register for each match. The adapter processor reads the contents of the results register such that the adapter processor may, with a single bus access, determine all mailboxes that have been accessed by the node processor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting user privacy by providing an inaccurate measure of network systems automatically initiates one or more non-user requested accesses to one or more network systems. The data received from the host system corresponding to the one or more non-user requested accesses is then automatically ignored.