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: A method of distributing files operates in a system having a master and a plurality of slaves, interconnected by a communications network. Each slave determines a current file length for each of a plurality of files and sends slave status information to the master, the slave status information including the current file length for each file. The master schedules copy operations based on the slave status information. The master stores bandwidth capability information indicating data transmission bandwidth capabilities for the resources required to transmit data between the slaves, and also stores bandwidth usage information indicating a total allocated bandwidth for each resource. For each schedule copy operation, an amount of data transmission bandwidth is allocated and the stored bandwidth usage information is updated accordingly. The master only schedules copy operations that do not cause the total allocated bandwidth of any resource to exceed the bandwidth capability of that resource.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating state information between a local device and a remote device across a transport network is disclosed. Each of the local and remote devices operate independently from one another and at least one of the devices is configured for one-way traffic protection. The method includes receiving a protection message comprising K-bytes from one of the local and remote devices at the other of the local and remote devices and determining based on the received K-bytes, if there is a change in state at one of the devices. If a change in state is detected, a message is sent indicating the change in state from one of the local and remote devices to the other of the local and remote devices.

Abstract: A method of email administration including receiving in a transcoding gateway from a client device one or more email display status attributes describing one or more email display capability statuses for a domain, receiving in the transcoding gateway from a sender an email display capability status request for the domain, in which the capability status request includes a domain identification, finding, in dependence upon the domain identification, at least one email display capability status record for the domain, in which the email display capability status record for the domain includes at least one of the email display capability status attributes, and sending at least one of the email display capability status attributes to the sender.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, detect a new task priority for a processor, where the processor is connected to a first node, find a home node for the processor via a cluster to which the processor belongs, and send the new task priority to the home node if the home node is different from the first node. In another embodiment, an interrupt directed to a first processor is detected, the interrupt is determined to be redirectable, a home node for the first process is found via a cluster to which the first processor belongs, and an interrupt vector is sent to the home node if the home node is different from the first node.

Abstract: An e-mail is received for a first user's e-mailbox that increases accumulated storage volume of e-mails beyond a capacity limit. Available storage space indications are accessed for e-mailboxes of other users designated as overflow e-mailboxes. Overflow e-mailbox designation indicates agreement by a user to loan at least a portion of their e-mailbox. Responsive to indicated availability of storage space therein and cost of access, one of the overflow e-mailboxes is selected and a pointer thereto is stored for the first user pointing to the overflow e-mailbox. Thus, space in the first user's e-mailbox is reduced by using a loaned portion of storage space in the overflow e-mailbox in lieu of space in the first user's e-mailbox. Users may receive credit for loaning or be charged for using overflow e-mailbox space. E-mailboxes may be polled for space availability, so e-mail may be transferred from overflow e-mailboxes to the first user's e-mailbox.

Abstract: Systems and methods for quick song selection on any of a plurality of networked, digital jukeboxes is provided. The Quick Pick feature provides for efficient song selection for a jukebox user preferably using a set of the most popular songs on a particular jukebox machine. Preferably, the system and method allow a user to browse or select songs to play at a digital jukebox in an efficient manner, without the need for a user to know the title or artist of the song in advance of making a selection.

Abstract: A method and computer system are provided for managing a host session on a remote computer. A request is sent to establish a host session from a client computer. The request includes a presentation space for displaying screen data. The client computer has access to properties files defining the screens for the host session. After the request is sent from the client computer, a response to the request is received in the presentation space from the remote computer. The response includes host screen data. Next, the response from the remote computer is identified by comparing the host screen data in the presentation space to screen data defined in one or more of the plurality of properties files for the host session. If host screen changes are detected during the host session, an error is generated and data associated with the error is presented to a user in an errors file. The user may then correct the error by modifying or updating the properties files associated with the host screens.

Abstract: A NAT data processing system is located behind a NAT enabled network with a NAT device as a gateway to the NAT enabled network. A client system located outside the NAT enabled network queries the NAT device for the address of the NAT data processing system located behind the NAT enabled network. The query is automatically routed through the NAT device to a DNS server. The DNS server returns an address for the NAT data processing system and source routing for the NAT device. The NAT device forwards the address and source routing to the client system. The client system sends packets to the NAT data processing system at the address with source routing through the NAT device, such that the NAT data processing system behind the NAT enabled network is directly accessed by the client system from outside the NAT enabled network.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the automatic provision of “bubble links” for accessing data services and selectable elements in a GUI of a computing device. The present invention includes the provision of a renderer to a computing device equipped to automatically present bubble links associated with input characters to a user of the computing device to improve the ease of use in accessing data services and selectable elements using the computing device.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention intermediates between an arbitrary client and an arbitrary printer connecting with a network to actualize practical printing works. A print portal system utilizing a server connected to the network intermediates between the client and the printer to execute a printing operation. The client outputs a printing requirement, which specifies print data of interest and a printer as an output resource, to the print portal system. The print portal system converts the input print data into data of a general purpose format, which does not depend upon the type of the printer, and transfers the converted print data to the specified printer.

Abstract: A server device, which has a content storage section, a content provider, a program table provider, a request processor and the like and can be accessed by a plurality of client devices, is arranged on the Internet. The content provider has a list, in which information about contents with relevance to their transmission times are registered. The content provider reads out the contents from the content storage section based on the list. The request processor controls the content provider to sent the read contents to a client device which has sent a request for transmission of the contents. The program table provider provides the client device, whose request is processed by the request processor, with a program table storing classifications of contents with relevance to their corresponding transmission times. This program table includes information for setting reservation for transmission of contents.

Abstract: A method for entertaining individuals according to a community having similar tastes. Information derived from user accounts form the basis of a community and collateral preferences allow other subscribing individuals to enjoy the benefit of wider-ranging tastes according to the preferences expressed by the other members of the community. Additionally, assuming that individuals sharing one preference in common may be likely to share others, the present method allows those who choose to listen to the “fan station” the ability to enjoy similar music or other data streams according to preferences expressed by the fan community as a whole.

Abstract: The communication between a remote email or application program and the server to which it interfaces, such as a mailbox exchange server, is improved. The present invention operates by tricking or controlling the application program in such away that the application program operates as thought it is on-line although in actuality it is off-line. This is accomplished by spoofing the application program and as a result, the application program operates off-line but the user has on-line type experience. More specifically, the present invention replaces the MAPI/RPC as the transport provider while the user is operating the application program in an off-line mode. The data transfer between the email application program and the email server is handled by the present invention in the background. On the server end of the connection, the present invention operates to spoof the server and thus causes the server to operate as though the remote customer is an interactive user presently connected to the domain.

Abstract: A method for processing a visitor request includes filling-out and submitting a visitor request form over an intranet, and creating a database on the visitor based upon the filled-out visitor request form. A visitor approval request message is transmitted via e-mail to at least one evaluator based upon the visitor database if approval is required. The visitor approval request message has a hyperlink to the filled-out visitor request form. An approval recommendation by the evaluator is submitted via e-mail, and the filled-out visitor database is updated. If approval is received from all evaluators, then the filled-out visitor request form is validated. A visitor badge is issued based upon a validated filled-out visitor request form.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for integrating messaging diagnostics into a messaging pipeline. A messaging pipeline receives a control message and passes the control message through one or more pipeline components (potentially a security component) positioned in the messaging pipeline. The control message is passed to a diagnostic control component positioned in the messaging pipeline subsequent to passing the received control message through one or more pipeline components. The diagnostic control component activates message diagnostics at diagnostic components positioned within one or more messaging pipelines in accordance with instructions contained in the control message. When message diagnostics are activated, messaging pipelines pass accessed messages to diagnostic components positioned in the messaging pipeline.

Abstract: A method to negotiate computer settings in advance is presented. A prediction is made to determine if the computer setting will be needed, and if needed, whether a value outside of a normal range of values will be needed. A value for the computer setting that is outside of the normal range of values is determined and the value is set to the outside value. A value within the normal range of values is used if it was predicted that there is no need for a value outside of the normal range of values.

Abstract: A shared I/O subsystem for a plurality of computer systems. The shared I/O subsystem includes a plurality of physical I/O interfaces and a plurality of virtual I/O interfaces where each of the computer systems is communicatively coupled to one or more of the virtual I/O interfaces. The shared I/O subsystem also includes a forwarding function having a forwarding table that logically arranges the shared I/O subsystem into one or more logical LAN switches. Each of the logical LAN switches communicatively couples one or more of the virtual I/O interfaces to at least one of the physical I/O interfaces. For each of the logical LAN switches, the forwarding function receives a data packet from any one from the group of the physical I/O interfaces and the virtual I/O interfaces, and directs the data packet to at least one from the group of the physical I/O interfaces and the virtual I/O interfaces.

Abstract: Methods and systems utilize one or more scripts to enable interaction with an electronic information page of a remote device. The electronic information page contains operating data for the remote device, and the operating data may be a measured parameter or a control setting. The remote device may provide a web server application through which the electronic information page, such as a static web page, may be accessed. The at least one script provides location information for the electronic information page and operating data within the page. The at least one script may provide an alias name or group for the remote device(s) that specifies a uniform resource locator address where the electronic information page(s) may be found. The at least one script may also provide commands that include the path(s) to the electronic information page and the variable name(s) for the operating data to be obtained and/or set.

Abstract: Home-networked client devices are connected to a host system that assigns independent Internet addresses to the client devices using a home gateway device that is connected to the home-networked client devices through a network. The home gateway device, which may be physically located in a personal residence, generally includes a communication device to communicate with the host system over a single communication tunnel established between the home gateway device and the host system. The home gateway device also may include a PPPoE access concentrator and an L2TP access concentrator. The client devices communicate with the host system through the home gateway device over the single communication tunnel. This enables the host system to establish individual communication sessions with the client devices over the single communication tunnel and to assign independent Internet addresses to the client devices.