Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling the clustering of nodes which implement a cluster-based routing protocol in a data communications network system where the system comprises a plurality of such nodes which are interconnectable to form a plurality of ad hoc networks. For each node which is a member of a cluster, cluster control information (CCMs) is maintained, this cluster control information being dependent on the size of at least the cluster of which that node is a member. On connection of two nodes which are members of two respective clusters, each of the two nodes transmits its cluster control information to the other node, and then determines whether a clustering condition is satisfied. In each node, the clustering condition is dependent on the cluster control information maintained for that node and the cluster control information received from the other node. In each node, if the clustering condition is satisfied, the node then communicates a clustering agreement to the other node.

Abstract: A disc changer apparatus includes a stacking unit for stacking at least two holder compartments, adapted to hold one disc each, in at least two stacking positions. The holder compartments are coupled to at least one spindle having a screwthread and are movable in a vertical direction by rotation of the spindles. The holder compartments are stacked in upper and lower stacking zones of the stacking. The changer apparatus has a play position for reading information stored on the information discs and/or writing information on the informaton discs. A central zone of the stacking unit between the upper and the lower stacking zone has a loading position, into which one of the holder compartments is movable by rotation of the spindles. A transporter unit is adapted to move the disc from the holder compartment, which is in the loading position, into the play and eject positions.

Abstract: Event data associated with state data corresponding to an instance of a process is collected by an interceptor associated with a server that performs an operation to modify the state data. The server performs a single transaction with the database to store both the modified state data and the associated event data, the transaction either succeeding or failing, whereby if the transaction succeeds, then both the state data and the event data are stored at the database, and if the transaction fails, then both the state data and the event data are not stored at the database. The event data stored at the database is then transmitted to a tracking service for conversion into a query-able format.

Abstract: A method for communicating a message directed to or concerning a user (in which case the message may be a core service request), from a source entity (11) in a source system to a target entity (17) in a target system, the user having a first user identifier known to the source entity (11), and a second user identifier used by the target entity (17) to identify the user in the target system, with the second user identifier not known to the source entity (11), the method including: a step (71 81 82 83) in which the source entity (11) encapsulates the message in a first message envelope containing an element (52) including the first user identifier and an element (53) containing a user identifier placeholder, and also a link (L12) relating the first user identifier and the user identifier placeholder.

Abstract: A distributed computer system includes a first subnet including a first group of endnodes, each endnode in the first group of endnodes having a unique destination location identification (DLID) within the first subnet. A second subnet in the distributed computer system includes a second group of endnodes, each endnode in the second group of endnodes having a unique DLID within the second subnet. A communication fabric is physically coupled to the first group of endnodes and the second group of endnodes. A partitioning mechanism associates a first partition key to every DLID in the first subnet for enabling communication between the first group of endnodes over the communication fabric. The partitioning mechanism associates a second partition key to every DLID in the second subnet for enabling communication between the second group of endnodes over the communication fabric.

Abstract: A method for enabling a server to maintain an accurate count of web-page views. The server maintains a counter that records the number of times the page is accessed due to automatic browser refreshes, and a counter that records the number of times the page is accessed otherwise. A browser accesses the URL of the web page and records a timestamp. When the browser next accesses the page, it determines the present time, and subtracts the timestamp from the present time. The browser then compares the difference with bounds that reflect a window of tolerance about an expected content-update period of the web page. If the difference is within the bounds, the browser instructs the server to advance the automatic-refresh counter; otherwise, the server advances the page-hit counter.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for enhancing the value of prerecorded works such as movies and music, as well as computer games, by randomly choosing alternative content segments at different points within the work, thereby potentially offering the user a different experience each time the work is played. This invention is suitable for use with specially prepared music, movies, videos, computer games and the like, wherein a plurality of interchangeable parallel or sequential content segments are specified. At each time point where such content segments are specified, the instant method selects randomly from them for presentation to the user.

Abstract: A digital media resource messaging system provides a convenient digital media resource viewing, managing, organizing, and editing platform that facilitates enhanced resource exchange by storing and forwarding digital media resources via a server between multiple resource-sharing partners designated by the user. In one embodiment, the digital media resource messaging system includes services to view, manage, organize, edit, and exchange digital images and video sequences.

Abstract: An automatic flow control mechanism that supports two modes of automatic flow control is provided in a network interface. In the first flow control mode, the network interface periodically compares the number of available receive descriptors with low and high threshold values. When the number of available receive descriptors falls below the low threshold value, the network interface sends a PAUSE frame requesting the link partner to suspend its transmission (in a full-duplex mode), or enables the back pressure mechanism (in a half-duplex mode).

Abstract: A fully scalable and survivable network architecture and method is disclosed. In particular, a system for providing network or intranet processing and stored data access and an associated method is provided. The system includes a plurality of sets of at least first and second application processors. Each of the first and second processors within a set apply substantially the same application. One or more switches operatively connect to at least the first and second processors and a plurality of data storage devices. The data stored in the data storage device is associated with the application and mirrored, and at least the first and second processors operate at substantially the same time to obtain data. Both sources of mirrored data are operational at the same time to output data.

Abstract: A virtual private network enables private communications over a shared MPLS network between two or more private networks. The virtual private networks include a first router connected to the shared MPLS network and configured to dynamically distribute first router VPN information across the shared MPLS network. The first router VPN information includes a VPN identifier which is assigned to the first router. The VPN also includes a second router connected to the shared MPLS network and and configured to dynamically distribute second router VPN information across the shared MPLS network. The second router VPN information includes a VPN identifier which is assigned to the second router and which is identical to the VPN identifier assigned to the first router. The first and second routers are also configured to establish label switched paths therebetween.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method is provided for transmitting packet headers in a network adapter across a network. In this embodiment memory protocol headers and application data into packet buffers are stored on a host. On the network adapter a MAC header storing in a cache. The stored packet buffers and stored MAC header are transmitted across a network thereby reducing DMA requests.

Abstract: The present invention relates to network management where monitoring and control of the synchronization path for each network element is currently provided for in a manual and ad hoc manner. The present invention provides a method of providing management data describing synchronization trial information for network elements in a communications network.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol Network Telephony call center having a plurality of agents for serving clients also processes e-mails addresses to the call center, but not to specific agents. An e-mail server receives and routes the e-mail, and includes a router and a database storing skill set information regarding agents. The router extracts information from the e-mails, matches key words in the extracted information with key words from the skill sets, and routes the e-mails to appropriate agents having the necessary skills to respond to the service requirements in the e-mails.

Abstract: A system and method provides synchronization verification of multiple applications across remote systems. In particular, the system has local application sharing logic to receive events to be shared from a local application, having at least one local application window, and to transmit the events to be shared to remote application sharing logic. The remote application sharing logic receives events the to be shared from the local application sharing logic and transmits the events to at least one corresponding remote application for processing. The at least one corresponding remote application has at least one remote application window. A window synchronization verification logic correlates the at least one local application window with the at least one remote application window.

Abstract: Monitoring of data packets transmitted across a computer network to extract a computer network-based telephone session in response to a request in which at least the following occur. Data packets transmitted on the computer network are analyzed to select one or more data packets that contain audio data, video data, or audio and video data (“data”). Packets associated with one or more IP addresses representing sessions to be monitored are identified. The data contained in the identified data packets are stored. The data contained in the identified data packets are organized into a specific telephone session based at least in part on a computer network-based telephone session to which the data packets belong. The data that is included in the organized data packets is output upon receipt of a signal representing the request of a user for the specific telephone session.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel apparatus for “on-the-fly” data correction and regeneration of a plurality of data read from and stored to a plurality of storage devices. A control circuit is provided for control of data flow to and from the storage devices. The control circuit establishes and maintains a relatively simple semaphore between itself and an interface circuit controlling a FIFO buffer. A mask register is provided as a type of programmable logic AND gate to assert a master ready signal when each of a selected plurality of the interface circuits, one interface circuit per FIFO buffer, indicates that its respective FIFO buffer is ready, either to output or input an entire block. When each is ready, routing and correction commences under control of the control circuit until an entire block has been processed. Each interface circuit includes an associated flip/flop having an output which provides an indication of the ready status.

Abstract: A protocol analyzer includes an input buffer, a lookup table and a counter memory. The input buffer includes a frame header buffer and the lookup table comprises a state machine including a CAM and a RAM. A frame is stored in the frame header buffer while the CAM and RAM analyze predetermined portions of it. If a portion is eight bits or less, it is input into the RAM and the RAM outputs instructions stored at the location indicated by the data portion. If the portion is greater than eight bits, it is input into the CAM, which outputs a RAM address at which corresponding instructions are stored. The instructions can include an instruction to increment a count in a predetermined register of the counter memory; an instruction to add a new count register in the counter memory; an instruction to generate a snapshot trigger to cause a capture RAM to store a specific data segment traveling on the packet network; and an instruction to further analyze the data portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring data from one device interface to another device interface via elements of a staging memory and a direct memory access (DMA) channel.