Abstract: A storage system has two storage apparatuses. Those storage apparatuses include a logical configuration information of a data storage area, an identification unit that identifies one or more requests for changing the logical configuration information from among one or more requests sent from the host system and a transmission unit. When the identification unit identifies to change data, a first storage apparatus updates its own configuration information and the transmission unit sends each of the one or more requests for changing the first logical configuration information to a second storage apparatus. When the second storage apparatus receives the requests, the second storage apparatus updates its own logical configuration information based on the one or more requests for changing.

Abstract: Techniques are described for load balancing subscriber sessions across tunnel termination devices. A network device is described, for example, that includes a tunneling module that load balances subscriber sessions across a plurality of tunnel termination devices based on weightings associated with the tunnel termination devices. The weightings may be assigned to the tunnel termination devices by a user, or may be calculated by the network device based on resource constraints associated with the tunnel termination devices. The network device may calculate the weightings, for example, based on a maximum number of subscriber sessions supported by each of the tunnel termination devices. As one example, the techniques may be applied to load balance Point-to-Point (PPP) subscriber sessions across L2TP Network Servers (LNSs).

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method selectively provides content compression to a client based, in part, on whether the network connection from the client is determined to be a high latency, low-bandwidth connection. The present invention gathers one or more network metrics associated with the connection from the client. In one embodiment, the metrics include estimated TCP metrics, including smoothed round trip time, maximum segment size (MSS), and bandwidth delay product (BWDP). These estimated network metrics are employed to make an application layer decision of whether the client connection is a high latency, low-bandwidth connection. If it is, then content may be selectively compressed virtually on the fly for transfer over the network connection. In one embodiment, the selective compression uses a content encoding compression feature of the HTTP protocol standard.

Abstract: A system for an accounting infrastructure, including monitoring and reporting, for individual services within a composite service. An accounting engine integrates with the composite service to monitor components and parameters of at least one service in the composite service, to provide reporting on the measurements and statistics associated therewith over time. The accounting engine aggregates data for components and services. One example provides the accounting infrastructure as an object-oriented program model, instantiating statistics as objects. The reporting distinguishes each statistic allowing analysis and optimization of processes and services.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling utilization of resources(s) of contention by a plurality of devices of a single or multiple priority classes. A utilization scaling factor is determined for each class for the resource(s) and compared with a threshold value. An apersistence property pattern is then created for each class that includes apersistence property entries corresponding to apersistence update cycles of an apersistence pattern window. Where the scaling factor is in a first range corresponding to low resource loading, the class pattern includes unimpeded entries allowing the devices in a class to attempt to utilize the resource. Otherwise, the class pattern is created with at least one blocking entry that prevents all devices in a class from attempting utilization of the resource during the corresponding apersistence update cycle. An apersistence property pattern entry is then provided from the pattern to the devices in each apersistence update cycle of the apersistence pattern window.

Abstract: A service providing apparatus 100 capable of providing a service while effectively managing execution codes and screen configuration information stored in the apparatus includes: a display apparatus 108; a communication unit 101; an obtaining unit 151 for obtaining an execution code for providing the service through communication unit 101; an execution code storage 102 for storing the obtained execution code; a screen configuration information storage 103 for storing screen configuration information defining screen configuration to be displayed at the time of execution of the execution code; and a management unit 104 managing these units such that by the time the service is provided, the execution code and screen configuration information necessary for providing the service are stored in the execution code storage 102 and screen configuration information storage 103, and executing, in response to a service providing instruction, the execution code stored in the execution code storage 102 using the screen conf

Abstract: A system and method to allow chat modules in a peer network to share active content. A sender peer includes an application module to activate a media content file from a content repository. The sender peer also includes a chat module to detect active content on the common peer and send information about the active content for display at a recipient peer. The recipient peer includes a chat module to receive active content information and an application module to active the media in substantially synchronous to active media at the sender peer. A content enhancement server provides supplemental active content information for display at the recipient peer and previews of the active content. The content enhancement server also enables a transaction related to the active media content file such as a purchase of an MP3 copy of the active content.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing electronic subscriptions are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes monitoring, at an electronic subscription client, receipt of one or more subscription messages associated with an electronic subscription. Interaction with the electronic subscription client by a client may be monitored to determine a viewing frequency of the one or more received subscription messages. Further, a prompt with a control configured for unsubscribing the user from receiving a future subscription message associated with the electronic subscription may be presented based on the determined viewing frequency.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing electronic subscriptions are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes monitoring, at an electronic subscription client, receipt of one or more subscription messages associated with an electronic subscription. Interaction with the electronic subscription client by a client may be monitored to determine a viewing frequency of the one or more received subscription messages. Further, a prompt with a control configured for unsubscribing the user from receiving a future subscription message associated with the electronic subscription may be presented based on the determined viewing frequency.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for scheduling an event. The method includes signaling a request from a first computer to schedule an event to a second computer. A schedule is then received from the second, the schedule includes indicators of available time periods in the calendar period from the second computer. A consolidated schedule is then generated. The consolidated schedule comprises information comparing the indicators of available time periods from the second computer with indicators of available time periods from the first computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a card game adopting new “mission function.” According to the present invention, there is provided a method for providing a card game on the Internet comprising the steps of: (a) providing a display of a game panel to a plurality of players connected to the Internet; (b) inviting the players to the card game upon request of the players; (c) distributing game items to invited players; (d) conducting a random retrieval of at least one mission from a database; (e) checking whether the mission is achieved when the game items are transacted; and (f) settling results of the card game when the card game is over.

Abstract: A distributed blade computer system and a method for operating a distributed blade computer system. More specifically, a computer system having one or more blades configured to operate as stand-alone computers are coupled to an infrastructure which includes one or more video modules. When a remote user wishes to implement video functions with a blade, a management subsystem in the infrastructure allocates a video module and couples the video module to the requested blade such that the blade can implement the video functions of the video module.

Abstract: A computer system comprising a number of components which make up an infrastructure with the system having a Directory 10 and an APS which is adapted to centralize and automate information management for online service systems.

Abstract: A method of controlling a floor controller (14) of a communications network (8) including a group of network components (14, 16) which receive a data stream (12) from a data source (10) is described. The method comprises the steps of selecting the network component (14, 16) which is to control the data source (10), receiving a control instruction from at least one of the network components (16), the control instruction relating to a control of the data source (10), and, in response to receipt of the control instruction from the selected network component (16), triggering the transmission of a corresponding session control command to the data source (10).

Abstract: A client computer initiates a first communication session at a first network address and receives therefrom a second network address. The client computer then initiates a second communication session at the second network address and receives therefrom an access configuration including a control setting for a communication protocol capable of being utilized during a third communication session. Concurrent with the second communication session, the client computer initiates a third communication session at a third network address whereupon the conveyance of data to or from an instantiated process on the client computer via the third communication session is controlled based on the control setting for the communication protocol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer program product and method of use thereof that converts short message service (SMS) message content, including but not limited to, text messages, photos, web links to articles, and advertisements, so that the content can be posted on websites.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring a user in a user living area. The system includes a system controller and an activity detection subsystem. The activity detection subsystem monitors a daily living activity of the user and provides information representative of the daily living activity to the system controller. The system controller includes a control circuit which generates a control signal in response to the daily living activity information obtained by the activity detection subsystem. Control information from the system controller is applied by way of a control information communication channel both to the activity detection subsystem and to a remote monitoring site. The activity detection subsystem may be a system for determining the movement of the user around the home, medication compliance by the user, problems with usage of stoves or other potentially dangerous appliances, and selected auxiliary appliances.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a plurality of computers is disclosed. A file is maintained on a selected computer of the plurality of computers. An open request for the file is sent by a first computer of the plurality of computers to the selected computer, the open request including a first token. The file is opened for the first computer in response to the open request. An open request is sent for the file by a second computer to the selected computer, the open request including a second token. The first token is compared with the second token. If the first token and the second token match, opening the file for the second computer, and if the first token and the second token do not match, not opening the file for the second computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides for generating inputs that can be provided to a message classification module to facilitate more reliable classification of electronic messages, such as, for example, as unwanted and/or unsolicited. In one embodiment, a sending messaging server provides an appropriate response to address verification data thereby indicating a reduced likelihood of the sending messaging server using a forged network address. In another embodiment, it is determined if a messaging server is authorized to send electronic messages for a domain. In yet another embodiment, electronic message transmission policies adhered to by a domain are identified. In yet a further embodiment, a sending computer system expends computational resources to solve a computational puzzle and includes an answer document in an electronic message. A receiving computer system receives the electronic message and verifies the answer document.

Abstract: A method transmitting and receiving data other than voice data and preventing deterioration in quality of communication voice data due to transmission and reception of the other than voice data, and utilizing a limited communication bandwidth when a plurality of users conduct the broadcast communication through common use of the conference room on the network. Upon a user terminal transmitting second data, verifying whether any of a plurality of identified user terminals has a right of transmission of first data. The method further includes that upon a user terminal having the a transmission right of first data, setting a value obtained by subtracting the communication bandwidth required for transmission of the first data from the communication bandwidth which each user terminal can use as the communication bandwidth for transmission of the second data.