Abstract: When a person requests access to a chat session, the time of the request is used to determine which chat room the person is placed. Other parameters are used to determine the surrounding factors, or context, within which the person initiated the request, such as the particular television program that the person was watching at the time of the request. By forming chat rooms based on the time of entry and the context in which the request is made, the chat rooms are likely to contain people with a common topic to discuss, such as the television news story being broadcast at that time. These time-of-entry chat rooms can also be structured to be of limited duration, obviating the overhead burden of deleting topic-specific chat rooms when the topic ceases to be of interest.

Abstract: A computer system optimized for block copy operations is provided. In order to perform a block copy from a remote source block to a local destination block, a processor within a local node of the computer system performs a specially coded write operation. The local node, upon detection of the specially coded write operation, performs a read operation to the source block in the remote node. Concurrently, the write operation is allowed to complete in the local node such that the processor may proceed with subsequent computing tasks while the local node completes the copy operation. The read from the remote node and subsequent storage of the data in the local node is completed by the local node, not by the processor. In one specific embodiment, the specially coded write operation is indicated using certain most significant bits of the address of the write operation.

Abstract: Methods, articles, signals, and systems are provided for providing email message originators and distributors with default control over message removal at a message recipient's location, regardless of whether the message has been opened. For instance, a self-removing message is designated as such by the message's originator, and a self-removal enhancement is added to conventional message content before the message is transmitted over a computer network toward one or more recipients. At the recipient's location, the message is automatically deleted without additional effort by the recipient, before or after being displayed, according to the originator's instructions unless they are overridden by the recipient. Messages may be automatically deleted in response to the arrival of a replacement message. Thus, the burden of removing unsolicited email messages is transferred from recipients to the system and the message's originators and/or to ISPs and other email distributors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and apparatus for efficient and reliable, control and distribution of data files or portions of files, applications, or other data objects in large-scale distributed networks. A unique content-management front-end provides efficient controls for triggering distribution of digitized data content to selected groups of a large number of remote computer servers. Network distribution messages are dispatched according to a sorted list of servers, based on factors such as nearness, server processor speed, reliability, and CPU Usage. For large numbers of servers, a store-and-forward approach becomes much more efficient. A first selected server receives the message from a content control manager (CCM). The first server requests instructions for the next server listed on an ordered list in the CCM and forwards a copy of that message to the next identified server. Each server reports its completion and requests further instructions from the CCM.

Abstract: A dynamic information transfer system in which there are at least two targets 110 120, one of which is a mobile target 110 and among which information can be transferred. The targets 110 120 possess systems to store, process, and use information and programs in the form of an intelligent software agent (ISA) system 130 associated with each target that is capable of initiating actions and negotiating with other agents or systems in the network. The ISA system 130 includes a personal assistant device (PAD), or the like, that interacts with the user, and performs operations on the user's behalf. A Location Determination System (LDS) 140 is utilized to determine the user's geographic position and the user's direction and speed of travel, if mobile. Virtual zones 150 are used to trigger data transfers among the involved targets, events, or programs to be initiated or terminated at one of the involved targets.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide a mobile workforce remote access to legacy systems utilizing a wireless communications network with a wireline network available as a backup network. This system includes portable personal computers in communication with the wireless or wireline communications network, protocol servers for receiving and forwarding messages to and from the portable personal computers, and an interface in communications with the protocol servers and legacy systems.

Abstract: In order to allow controlling of a home network (5) from remote, a gateway (1) connecting the home network (5) to a communication network (3, 12) additionally comprises an e-mail module (6). The e-mail module (6) enables the gateway (1) to connect itself to an e-mail account (8) in order to transmit e-mails received by the e-mail account (8) via the communication network (3) to the gateway (1). The transmitted e-mails are processed by the gateway (1), information is extracted therefrom enabling the gateway (1) to carry out network controlling procedures. Status information and error messages are sent back by the gateway (1) to the user (13) in form of e-mails.

Abstract: A method and system for using alternative resource identifiers in the place of the conventional resource identifiers. The invention transforms the alternative resource identifier to a conventional resource identifier using software on-the-fly. The resources on the Internet are then accessed using the conventional resource identifiers in the conventional manner and are displayed to the user.

Abstract: A method for sending data to a client to provide data-on-demand services comprises the steps of: receiving a data file, specifying a time interval, parsing the data file into a plurality of data blocks based on the time interval such that each data block is displayable during a time interval, determining a required number of time slots to send the data file, allocating to each time slot at least a first of the plurality of data blocks and optionally one or more additional data blocks, such that starting from any of the time slots, (i) the data file can be displayed by accessing the first of the plurality of data blocks; (ii) at a consecutive time slot, a next data block sequential to a prior displayed data block is available for displaying; and (iii) repeating step (ii) until all of the plurality of data blocks for the data file has been displayed, and sending the plurality of data blocks based on the allocating step.

Abstract: A system and method for providing the ability for a network processor to select from multiple next hop options for a single forwarding entry and provide the ability to weight the probability of which next hop will be chosen.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method, apparatus and program product for transmitting email to selected recipients defined by one or more aliases in identified lists of recipients, by providing transmission control directives given by the user, parsing the said directives, expanding aliases wherever necessary and applying each directive to the identified lists of recipients.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, method, and program for processing a message in a network computing system including a facsimile transmission comprised of a recipient contact address, e.g., phone number, e-mail address, etc., and one or more attached files. Facsimile transmissions are managed as fax jobs in a fax management system. For each attachment file in the fax job, the fax management system determines a network address of a computer including an application program capable of converting the attachment file to at least one image in a file format. Different computers at different network addresses are capable of converting different attachment file types to at least one image in the file format. The fax management system transmits the attachment file to the computer at the determined network address and the computer receiving the attachment file executes one application program to convert the attachment file to at least one image in a file format.

Abstract: A method is provided for sending data in a wireless ad-hoc network including a plurality of nodes grouped into clusters of nodes and a plurality of wireless links connecting the plurality of nodes, where each cluster has a designated cluster leader node. The method may include sending a cluster-level route request from a source node of a source cluster to a cluster leader node of the source cluster, and determining a cluster-level route between the source cluster and a destination cluster including a destination node responsive to the cluster-level route request and using a plurality of the cluster leader nodes. Further, a node-level route may be determined from the source node to the destination node along the cluster-level route, and each node along the node-level route may store an address of a next node along the node-level route. Additionally, the data may be transferred via the node-level route based upon the stored addresses.

Abstract: A computer system is presented which implements a system and method for conveying packets between a coherent processing subsystem and a non-coherent input/output (I/O) subsystem. The processing subsystem includes a first processing node coupled to a second processing node via a coherent communication link. The first processing node includes a host bridge which translates packets moving between the processing subsystem and the I/O subsystem. The I/O subsystem includes an I/O node coupled to the first processing node via a non-coherent communication link. The I/O node may embody one or more I/O functions (e.g., modem, sound card, etc.). The coherent and non-coherent communication links are physically identical. For example, the coherent and non-coherent communication links may have the same electrical interface and the same signal definition. The host bridge translates non-coherent packets from the I/O node to coherent packets, and transmits the coherent packets to the second processing node.

Abstract: Methods, articles, signals, and systems are provided for protecting email message contents. A self-removing message is designated as such by the message's originator, and a self-removal enhancement such as self-removal code or self-removal indicators are added to conventional message content before the message is transmitted over a computer network toward one or more recipients. Copies of the message may be removed from intermediate network nodes by software which recognizes, and acts in response to, self-removal indicators. At the recipient's location, the message is displayed and then removed from disk and from memory without additional effort by the recipient. Thus, the burden of removing unsolicited email messages is transferred from recipients to the system and the message's originator. Security of messages may also be enhanced by reducing the number of copies of confidential message content and/or the accessible life span of those copies.

Abstract: A proxy system enables a worker remote from a communication center and limited to a light computer device unable to operate as a workstation at the communication center to operate with full access to data and software at the communication center. A proxy server, which may be a LAN-connected server at the communication center, has a two-way data link to the light computer device operated by the remote agent, and executes software which ascertains the hardware and software characteristics of the light device. The proxy server accesses communication center data at direction from the light device, operates communication center software tools, and provides results to the light device over the communication link in a form usable by the light device.

Abstract: A method is illustrated in the flow diagram 100 of FIG. 1. A processor 1001 renders a message 1025 for the processor operator's education during times of processor latency 1015, such as dialing onto any network, such as the Internet. This wait time 1017 is normally non-productive, and therefore can be used in such a way as to be non-invasive. It is also understood that this time is short, so as to make other actions, such as getting up from the desk, not attractive. Finally, even if the wait time was, or became, very short, the present invention provides the first message 1025 to the process operator that has been filtered. This filtering is a balance of the message owner's willingness to out bid other messages, the time of the day, the location of the operator, and finally the operator's likes and dislikes.

Abstract: A reference state output system, a reference state output method, and a computer readable medium on which a reference state output program is recorded according to the present invention includes a calculation unit for calculating reference times per character included in referred information and outputting a reference state as information including the reference times and a standard deviation of the reference times, and an editing unit for calculating deviations of the reference times per character of each piece of information by the standard deviation of the reference times of the information on the basis of the reference state, and outputting the degree of interest in the information. Therefore, the degree of interest in provided information of an information referrer can be accurately output.

Abstract: Methods, articles, signals, and systems are provided for providing unsolicited email message originators with default control over message removal at a message recipient's location, regardless of whether the unsolicited message has been opened. For instance, a self-removing message is designated as such by the message's originator, and a self-removal enhancement is added to conventional message content such as advertising before the message is transmitted over a computer network toward recipients. At a given recipient's location, the message is automatically deleted without additional effort by the recipient, before or after being displayed, according to the originator's instructions unless they are overridden by the recipient. Thus, the burden of removing unsolicited email messages is transferred from recipients to the message's originators.

Abstract: An interactive, computer network based system presents consumers with multimedia brand information via a browser-based interface called the GraffitiWall™. Consumers can use the GraffitiWall™ to modify and display a sponsor's brand information in any way desired. Consumer modifications are immediately communicated to the other member consumers and the advertiser/sponsor. Consumers can rate the GraffitiWall™, or portions thereof, and email the GraffitiWall™. An archive of GraffitiWalls™ is maintained by the system. Consumers participate in online focus groups, one-to-one interviews and discussions, as well as games and promotions pertaining to the brand.