Abstract: A system is provided for controlling a multicast session in a network having multiple network nodes. The system selects one of the network nodes as a control point associated with the multicast session. Identity of the control point is then advertised to all network nodes in a particular area. The control point determines multicast control information for the multicast session. Multicast control information determined by the control point is transmitted to the network nodes participating in the multicast session. The multicast control information may include network nodes participating in the multicast session, multicast reflection points, or instructions for transmitting multicast data to members of the multicast session. Updating of the multicast control information occurs in response to network changes. The system may provide a secondary control point that maintains a copy of control information associated with the multicast session.

Abstract: A disc reproducing apparatus having a disc exchange function includes a housing section, a reproducing unit, a movement unit and a pull-out unit. The housing section holds plural optical discs and is detachably mounted on a main body portion of the apparatus. The housing section includes plural trays on which to set optical discs. These trays are mounted for movement between a pull-out position out of the housing section and a housed position in the housing section. The reproducing unit reproduces an optical disc. The movement unit moves one of the housing section and the recording and/or reproducing unit relative to the other. The movement unit moves the housing section and the recording and/or reproducing unit relative to the arraying direction of plural trays housed in the housing section. The movement mechanism includes a positioning mechanism for positioning the recording and/or reproducing unit relative to a sole tray housed in the housing section.

Abstract: A disc cartridge of a three-piece structure capable of being kept from being caught in an information recording/reproducing apparatus during loading/unloading thereof with respect to the apparatus. The disc cartridge includes an upper plate, a lower plate, and a center frame arranged between the upper plate and the lower plate, which are joined to each other to form a casing in which a disc-like medium is received. The upper plate defines the whole upper surface region of the disc cartridge, whereas the lower plate defines the whole lower surface region of the disc cartridge. The disc cartridge also includes an engaged structure in which an engagement structure of the information recording/reproducing apparatus is engagedly fitted. The engaged structure is constituted by only the lower plate.

Abstract: Methods and systems for recognizing a client computer as a replacement for a previous client computer or as being new to a computer network. When a client computer is connected to a server in a computer network, the client computer sends its unique identifier to the server. The server compares the unique identifier against a list of known unique identifiers. If the server determines that the unique identifier is unknown, the client computer prompts the user to select one of a list of user options, which include, for example, a replacement computer option and a new computer option. If the user selects the replacement computer option, the user also identifies the previous computer that has been replaced. The server then replaces the previous computer's unique identifier with the replacement computer's unique identifier, and assigns the replacement computer to an appropriate server computer.

Abstract: A disk-shaped information memorizing medium having as small as possible a gap formed between a cartridge housing and an opening and closing door to prevent dust from entering. To this end, an opening window is provided through one plane portion of the cartridge housing opposing an information memorizing surface of an optical disk and the opening and closing door is swung along a plane of this plane portion.

Abstract: Automatic failover methodology provides a mechanism whereby a central control unit, such as a management station, will automatically takeover interface status polling of objects of a collection station that is temporarily unreachable. This methodology is applicable to any distributed computing environment, such as a data communications network, in which it is desirable to have a central control unit assume the interface status polling operation of a temporarily inaccessible collection station. The collection station may be inaccessible due to the network on which the central control unit and the collection station reside being down or due to the collection station being down for maintenance.

Abstract: A gateway apparatus which transfers voice mail to an electronic mail server as electronic mail so that the voice mail can be accessed from a remote place by a simple operation. The gateway apparatus is connected between the electronic mail server and a public telephone network. The gateway apparatus communicates with a voice mail apparatus via a telephone line. The electronic mail server is connected to at least one personal computer. Voice mail addressed to a selected user is retrieved from the voice mail apparatus. The voice mail is converted into electronic mail, and a voice mail box number corresponding to the retrieved voice mail is converted into an electronic mail address which is assigned for the selected user. The electronic mail converted from the voice mail is transferred to the electronic mail server so that the electronic mail is distributed to a personal computer connected to the electronic mail server in accordance with the converted electronic mail address.

Abstract: An apparatus for activating a disk clamper by magnetic restoring force is provided for an optical disk drive having a casing and a cartridge for carrying an optical disk along a path in the optical disk drive. A spindle motor is mounted below the casing that is made of material which can be induced by a magnet. A disk clamper includes a magnet mounted therein and has a central axle coaxial with a central axis of the spindle motor. The disk clamper and the spindle motor are respectively located on two sides of the disc when the cartridge is inside the optical disk drive for securely clamping the optical disk together. When the spindle motor moves upwardly, the disk clamper is moved downwardly to clamp the optical disk in the cartridge under action of magnetic force between the spindle motor and the magnet in the disk clamper.

Abstract: A remote module control system in which a remote module includes data information management means for managing data information indicative of existence/non-existence of data to be transferred which is to be transferred to a switching system and notifying the switching system of the data information as required and data transmission means for transmitting data to be transferred to the switching system, the switching system includes first storage means for storing data information received from the remote module, second storage means for storing data to be transferred received from the remote module and reception information setting means for setting reception information indicative of the reception of data to be transferred based on data information stored in the first storage means, and a central processor mounted on the switching system obtains data to be transferred stored in the second storage means according to reception information.

Abstract: A method of remotely configuring a network device requires the generation of configuration information for the network device at a central configuration server, which is located remotely from the network device on a network. The configuration information includes a device configuration parameter. On receipt of identification information concerning the network device at the central configuration server, the central configuration server propagates the configuration information to the network device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collecting, storing, processing and using data, such a RMON2 network traffic data, are described. Network traffic probes are identified and attempts are made to configure the identified probes to generate network traffic data sets which are as close to a preselected common data format as possible. Application layer traffic data is collected in addition to network layer traffic data when possible. In an RMON2 embodiment, the common data format includes the use of delta count values as opposed to absolute count values. The common data format of the present invention utilizes terminal count mode format as opposed to all count mode format for the presentation of RMON2 application layer information. To minimize the amount of data processing required to put a probe's network traffic data into the desired common format and to maximize the amount of information collected, network data is obtained from a probe using one of the available RMON2 table formats.

Abstract: In order to transfer a series of data files between two computers, each computer is provided with a file transfer mechanism. The file transfer mechanism is responsible for the overall control of the transfer of the series of files. Each file transfer mechanism controls the transfer of a series of files in accordance with a protocol. In this protocol, the computer receiving data files (the initiator) sends a poll request message to the computer transmitting the data files (the responder). In response, the responder sends a reply message to the initiator containing a list of files which are available for transfer. From this list, the initiator selects the files which it wishes to receive and then copies each file in turn. It then sends an acknowledge to the responder.

Abstract: A disc drive comprises a main body equipped with a turntable for rotating a disc, a disc tray movable with respect to the main body between a disc loaded position and a disc eject position to transport the disc to the disc loaded position, and a disc clamper for holding the disc transported by the disc tray between the turntable and the disc clamper. The disc drive further includes a disc clamper displacement mechanism provided on the disc tray to make contact with the disc clamper to displace the disc clamper upward when the disc tray is moved from the disc loaded position to the disc eject position so as to prevent obstruction of the movement of the disc tray. This mechanism includes an inclined surface formed on at least a portion of the disc tray to the rear of a disc supporting portion and a reinforcing portion connected to the rear of the inclined surface.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus includes a turntable. The turntable is first rotated at a low speed in response to turning on of a reproduce switch on the disc apparatus, and the balancer is, in turn, brought to rest at an optimal position for low speed rotation. When the balancer comes to rest, automatic adjustment is effected. When the automatic adjustment is ended, the turntable is decelerated in rotation to release the balancer from resting. When the rotation speed of the turntable reaches a speed at which the balancer is released from resting, the balancer becomes movable relative to the turntable. Thereafter the turntable is brought into high speed rotation to move the balancer to rest at an optimal position for high speed rotation.

Abstract: A CD-ROM reader mechanism includes a movable inner frame supporting a reader device thereon and being movably received in a fixed outer frame. At least one pair of flexible hinges are integrally formed between the inner frame and the outer frame at opposite sides to pivotally support the inner frame in the outer frame thereby allowing a front end of the inner frame to move between an upper position where the reader device is allowed to access an optic disk and a lower position where the reader device is moved away from the optic disk. The flexible hinges each include an undulated structure made of a deformable material. The undulated structure has a plurality of cavities therein which allow the structure to collapse for serving as a hinge.

Abstract: An anti-vibration mechanism includes: a first chassis 1; a second chassis 2 opposed to the first chassis; vibration proof members 4 mounted to the second chassis; support members 3 for mounting the vibration proof members to the first chassis by insertion through central holes 4a of the vibration proof members; and elastic members 5 arranged between the first chassis and the support members, wherein the distance between the first chassis and the second chassis can be adjusted by means of the elastic members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for redirecting packets using encapsulation techniques. In one embodiment, an Internet subscriber transmits an Internet service request to a Network Access Server (NAS). The service request is transmitted in a first packet. The NAS analyzes the first packet to determine whether the service request exceeds the subscriber's internet subscription. If the request exceeds the subscriber's subscription, the NAS encapsulates the first packet into a second packet and redirects the second to a redirection server. The packet is encapsulated to preserve the address of the original destination of the service request. Upon receipt, the redirection server generates a reply to the internet service request which specifies why the service request was denied. The redirection server also substitutes the address of the original destination as the source of the reply message to allow the reply message to be received as reply from the original destination.

Abstract: A loading device for moving a tray of a disc player apparatus having a tray for movement between a loaded position and an ejected position; a loading motor having a motor shaft and being mounted on a main base; and driving elements for moving the tray between the loaded position and the ejected position by power derived from the loading motor. The driving elements are rotatively mounted centering on the motor shaft of the loading motor.

Abstract: A physical play-in-place case for housing and playing a media disc, such as an audio compact disc (CD). The case comprises a base, a shell attached to the base defining a cavity for receiving a CD, the shell further having a landing portion defining a spine area extending substantially along a common side of the base and the shell, and a cover hinged to the base along the spine area. Playback controls are located at the landing portion of the shell and extend into the spine area. At least one audio output device is located in the shell. A track/time display can also be located at the landing portion of the shell. In a further embodiment, a graphic display panel is attached to the cover, and may be viewed when the cover is in the closed position. A touch screen may be operatively combined with the graphic display panel. The case can be fabricated in the same size as conventional CD jewel cases, i.e., with dimensions no greater than about 14 cm×12.5 cm×10 cm.

Abstract: Conventional disc units each involve the problem that a new disc must be inserted into the disc unit after a disc already present in the disc unit is ejected and that therefore it takes time for disc replacement. In the disc unit of the present invention, to solve the above-mentioned problem, a new second disc which has been inserted into the disc unit through an insertion opening is carried from an insertion area to a disc driving section by a conveying means. On the other hand, a first disc already present in the disc unit prior to insertion of the second disc is ejected from an ejection area to the exterior of the disc unit by both first and second ejection members. The time required for disc replacement can be shortened by performing the disc inserting operation by the conveying means and the disc ejecting operation by the first and second ejection members both in a simultaneous manner.