Abstract: Provided is a method, system, and an article of manufacture for implementing security at a portal server. The portal server provides a client with access to backend applications, where the backend applications are stored at backend servers separate from the portal server. Associated with each backend application are privileges and other security features. The privileges and the security features are stored at a database in the portal server. The portal server receives a request from a client and constructs a list of allowable interactions for a plurality of the backend applications, by consulting the database. The portal server sends a page containing the list of allowable interactions to the client. The client selects an interaction and requests the portal server for a result of the interaction. The portal server requests a backend server to provide the result, and returns the result to the client, along with a set of new allowable interactions for the client to select.

Abstract: A gateway apparatus is provided which connects to appliances via a home network. The gateway apparatus includes means for acquiring appliance panel information indicating panel parts of the appliance and an operational range of the panel parts, and means for memorizing gateway apparatus information indicating whether a control command input to the appliance thorough a network built outside the home. The gateway apparatus further includes means for determining whether or not it is possible to accept the input by making reference to the gateway apparatus information when the control command input is received through the outside network and for producing a control command to the appliance based on the appliance panel information when the acceptance is possible. This makes it possible to perform remote control in a similar feeling obtained in operating a front panel of an actual home appliance. Through the outside network, the home appliance can be controlled with easier operations.

Abstract: A computer architecture and programming model for high speed processing over broadband networks are provided. The architecture employs a consistent modular structure, a common computing module and uniform software cells. The common computing module includes a control processor, a plurality of processing units, a plurality of local memories from which the processing units process programs, a direct memory access controller and a shared main memory. A synchronized system and method for the coordinated reading and writing of data to and from the shared main memory by the processing units also are provided. A hardware sandbox structure is provided for security against the corruption of data among the programs being processed by the processing units. The uniform software cells contain both data and applications and are structured for processing by any of the processors of the network. Each software cell is uniquely identified on the network.

Abstract: Mechanisms and techniques provide a method for determining the performance of a server, based upon a connection characteristic of a connection between the server and a client. The connection characteristic, such as the window size of the server, provides information regarding the performance or capacity of the server. Variation between the connection characteristic and a preferred connection characteristic is used by a data communications device, for example, to determine the performance of the server. Based upon the variation in the connection characteristic, the data communications device is then able to direct incoming content requests to other servers in communication with a network, as required.

Abstract: For making a host computer automatically recognize a composite apparatus used with switching between functions thereof, the host 102 recognized whether a device is connected, based on a potential of cable data1. With switching between the functions of the apparatus, the device 100 temporarily stops supply of power to the cable data1 and restart the supply a predetermined time thereafter by R controller 205. When the supply of power is stopped, the host 102 assumes that the device is disconnected and deletes a driver for the device from a memory. When the supply of power is restarted thereafter, the host 102 recognizes the device 100 as a device having a new function, reads device information, and installs a driver suitable for the new device.

Abstract: When a network resource request having a domain name is received, it is determined whether the network resource can be accessed from the domain name. Rather than displaying an error message or processing a search request in response to determining that a network resource can not be accessed, the domain name can instead be redirected to a registration service where the domain name can be automatically used to perform a registration request and determine domain name availability. When the domain name is not available for registration, domain name registrant information is provided. However, when the domain name is determined available, a registration form is provided. For example, such a domain name may be redirected from the autosearch feature of a web browser to a service, which determines that the domain name is available for registration enabling a potential registrant to register the available domain name by selecting a domain name registration provider from a list of domain name registration providers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for timely delivery of classes and objects is provided. A header comprising timing information is attached to said classes and/or objects. A “start loading” time and a “load by” time are specified in the header. Other classes and/or objects to be loaded are also specified in the header. Optional compression, security, and/or error resilience schemes are also specified in the header. A process for creating the header and attaching it to a class or object is provided. A process for receiving and processing a class or object with an attached header is provided. Embodiments of the invention allow timely delivery of classes and/or objects over a wide variety of transport mechanisms, including unreliable transport mechanisms and those lacking any guarantees of timely delivery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a data processing apparatus which performs a data process via a LAN and a communication line other than the LAN comprises reception means for receiving data from a transmission side via the communication line notification means for notifying that the reception means received the data, to a plurality of receivers on the LAN transmission means for transmitting information representing a notification result by the notification means, to the transmission side timer means for performing a time count and control means for causing the transmission means to start the transmission, when it is judged by the timer means that a predetermined period of time is elapsed, so that it can be easily notified to the transmission side whether or not the data reception was notified to terminals on the LAN.

Abstract: A scheme for providing environmental information to users is disclosed. In this scheme, environmental information is measured automatically by each of a plurality of environment sensors arranged at a plurality of regions, and the environmental information measured by each environment sensor is collected automatically to a base device, and stored at the base device. Then, the environmental information is processed at the base device according to a user information of an individual user, and processed environmental information is provided from the base device to the individual user through a network connecting the users and the base device.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided for caching domain name system (DNS) information on a network gateway. In particular, a network gateway that interfaces one or more customer premises equipment (CPE) devices to an IP network maintains a centralized on-board cache for storing domain names and corresponding IP addresses. The domain names and IP addresses in the cache are used by the network gateway to resolve DNS queries generated by application programs running on the CPE devices in a manner that is transparent to the CPE devices and that does not expend CPE resources. The cache may be initially loaded by an attached CPE or an external network entity and is continuously populated with information extracted from DNS messages exchanged between a CPE device and the external IP network.

Abstract: The present invention provides presence information to a subscriber indicative of the availability of a user who is already actively participating in a communication session. A presence system receives and processes participation information, which bears on the degree in which the user is participating in the communication session, and generates the presence information based on defined processing rules. The resultant presence information may indicate whether the user can be interrupted to accept other communications while engaged in the communication session. If the user can be interrupted, the presence information may also identify the most appropriate methods to contact the user during the communication session.

Abstract: An electronic mail server is provided to facilitate e-mail communication over a network. The electronic mail server includes an account name database and an account name processor in communication with the account name database for providing a response to a message received over the network. Typically, the message includes an e-mail account name label comprising at least one account name character (having an account name character set type), with the character set type including a non-ASCII compatible character set. The account name database includes a number of database records, each identifying an e-mail account name comprising at least one record character having a record character set type, and a record character set identifier identifying the record character set type. The account name processor includes a correlation processor and a response processor.

Abstract: A maintenance information providing server (Web server) 20 that transmits maintenance information to a portable terminal carried by a vendor or a customer is appended to the network management system (NMS) 21 supervising the network 2, server 20 on receipt of malfunction information from the NMS 21, notifying the malfunction to one or more pre-registered portable terminals (23, 13, 33) of a communication service purveyor, vendor or the customer.

Abstract: A technique for handling server session requests in a system having a plurality of servers is disclosed. In one embodiment, the technique includes receiving a request to create a session on one of the plurality of servers. In response to the request, a primary session is created on a first of the plurality of servers. After the primary session is created, at least one other of the plurality of servers are notified that the primary session has been created. Such notification allows for a backup session on the at least one other of the plurality of servers to take over for the primary session upon a failure on the first of the plurality of servers.

Abstract: A method for disabling a wireless data processing device is described comprising: receiving an indication from a user that the data processing device is missing; and responsively transmitting a disable command to the data processing device, the disable command disabling the data processing device using a first disabling technique.

Abstract: The present invention flexibly manages the formation of a partition from a plurality of independently executing cells (discrete hardware entities comprising system resources) in preparation for the instantiation of an operating system instance upon the partition. Specifically, the invention manages configuration activities that occur to transition from having individual cells acting independently, and having cells rendezvous, to having cells become interdependent to continue operations as a partition. The invention manages the partitioning forming process such that no single point of failure disrupts the process. Instead, the invention is implemented as a distributed application wherein individual cells independently execute instructions based upon respective copies of the complex profile (a “map” of the complex configuration). Also, the invention adapts to a degree of delay associated with certain cells becoming ready to join the formation or rendezvous process.

Abstract: A method and system for using a peripheral device identifier obtained from a peripheral device to determine a network address from a database, or generate the network address based on the identifier. Information related to the peripheral device is obtained from a remote device at the network address. The method includes automatically transferring at least one identifier from the peripheral device to a host device when the peripheral device is connected to the host device. The step of transferring is preferably done during or after enumeration of the peripheral device, such as occurs when a USB device is connected to a computer. The identifier is used as an index to automatically determine a network address from a database on the host device or a remote device, or to automatically generate a network address. Then, communication occurs between the host device and a remote device or other source of the information indicated by the network address.

Abstract: Context aware computing systems and methods are described. In one described embodiment, devices and methods are provided that are context-aware (in one example—location-aware) in that they provide for the application and enforcement of various policies as a function of context. Specifically, various computing devices, through the described methodologies and structures, are able to automatically determine their context. Once context is determined, a collection of policies can be evaluated to provide a resultant set of policies that apply to the given context. The resultant set of policies are then enforced, typically via the device's operating system. Policy enforcement can involve promulgating new settings or state to applications that are executing on or off the device. Advantageously, the devices and methodologies can adapt the resultant set of policies as the device's context changes so that the policies can be dynamically determined and enforced automatically as the device's context changes.

Abstract: A technique for the simplification of Web pages in order to access necessary information rapidly, when displaying or outputting Web pages using a small screen device or a voice browser. A method for simplifying Web contents includes the steps of acquiring a target page subject to simplification, acquiring adjoining pages that adjoin the target page and performing a difference operation to delete objects that are common among the target page and the adjoining pages from the target page to generate a simplified page.

Abstract: A controller, referred to as the “BMonitor”, is situated on a computer. The BMonitor includes a plurality of filters that identify where data can be sent to and/or received from, such as another node in a co-location facility or a client computer coupled to the computer via the Internet. The BMonitor further receives and implements requests from external sources regarding the management of software components executing on the computer, allowing such external sources to initiate, terminate, debug, etc. software components on the computer. Additionally, the BMonitor operates as a trusted third party mediating interaction among multiple external sources managing the computer.