Abstract: A process optimization system and method uses a computer network, particularly the Internet, to standardize a process performed at a number of geographically separated locations while assuring optimal use of available process technology. The system includes at least one central server computer system and at least one client-user computer station at each location. Data relating to the process is inputted into the server computer system using any one of the client-user computer stations. The server computer system the uses the data to determine an optimal approach to the process and displays the optimal approach on the client-user computer station used to input the data.

Abstract: Remotely executing programs access hardware components and upload component management information from these hardware components bypassing the operating system otherwise controlling the hardware components. A web-based browser application executes on a personal computer that is coupled to the Internet and accesses the hardware component information. Another computer that is also connected to the Internet hosts the hardware components that the web-based browser application wishes to access. The operating system of the second computer controls the operation of the hardware components. An adapter routine executing on an intermediate server, to which the hardware components are coupled and are capable of transferring component information in a predetermined format, serves as an intermediary between the web-based browser application and the hardware components.

Abstract: A nonlinear editing system for audio, video and/or other source materials comprises a system to define at least one time line representing the edit, the time line being represented in the editing system as an operator graph. The operator graph includes operators, representing sources and time-based effects, and time varying connections therebetween. For each period of the defined time line wherein the connections do not change, a expression tree comprising a simplified representation of the operators and the connections required to render that portion of the time line is extracted. Each expression tree can be examined to ensure that all of the required sources and/or connections are available to render that portion of the time line in real time and, if this is not the case, a determination can be made of which portions of the expression tree can be pre-rendered to an intermediate result, the intermediate result being substituted into expression tree to provide real time rendering.

Abstract: The present invention describes a network system, comprising at least two network units, of which at least the first network unit is provided with an insufficient amount of memory space, wherein the first network unit, which comprises said insufficient amount of memory space, is able to create a program object through the network to a second network unit which comprises a sufficient amount of memory space.

Abstract: A network configuration (10) including a first network medium which is a 1394 network as well as a second network medium. Each of the first and second network media is coupled to a corresponding plurality of host-computers (H1 through H3 and H5 through H7). The network configuration further includes a link layer gateway computer (H4) coupled to both. the first network medium and the second network medium. The link layer gateway computer is operable to communicate a data packet from a source host computer selected from one of the plurality of host computers coupled to the first network medium to a destination host computer selected from one of the plurality of host computers coupled to the second network medium.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for configuring agent log-off reasons in connection with an automatic contact distribution (ACD) system. An organization operating an ACD system can define any number of agent log-off reasons, which can be configured for individual agents, for groups of agents, or system-wide. These custom-defined reasons can be incorporated in historical reports and in real-time displays regarding schedule adherence. These custom-defined reasons can be changed at any time. In addition, the order in which the reasons appear for selection by an agent can be changed at any time, and can be reordered automatically in accordance with different algorithms.

Abstract: Resource requests made by clients of origin servers in a network are intercepted by reflector mechanisms and selectively reflected to other servers called repeaters. The reflectors select a best repeater from a set of possible repeaters and redirect the client to the selected best repeater. The client then makes the request of the selected best repeater. The resource is possibly rewritten to replace at least some of the resource identifiers contained therein with modified resource identifiers designating the repeater instead of the origin server.

Abstract: A data stream processing device for processing a succession of information datagrams from multiple data streams, each datagram comprising a payload and an identifier identifying the data stream of which the datagram forms part, the device comprising: a storer for storing an indication of which of the data streams are required for use; a memory; and a datagram processor connected to the storer and the memory and arranged for: receiving incoming datagrams, reading the identifiers of received datagrams and thereby identifying the data stream of which each datagram forms part, and storing in the memory received datagrams that form part of a data stream required for use, and if successively received datagrams that form part of a data stream required for use are interspersed by one or more received datagrams that do not form part of a data stream required for use, storing an indication of the spacing between the said successively received datagrams.

Abstract: A logical Management Information Base (MIB) residing in a Network Element (NE) including one or more Performance Management (PM) Group managed entities each having at least one PM Counter attribute, and a pointer; and a Threshold Crossing Alert (TCA) profile managed entity, each instance thereof having at least one PM Counter attribute, and an associated threshold value, where an instance of an PM Group managed entity points to an instance of the TCA profile managed entity whose at least one PM Counter attribute match those of the PM Group managed entity whereupon each of whose at least one PM Counter attribute is correspondingly assigned a threshold value from the TCA profile managed entity instance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a local area network operating according to the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) for transmitting cells, comprising a plurality of network interfaces. At least two ring systems are provided which comprise each two network interfaces (85, 89; 86, 90) and respective bridge connections (83, 84; 87, 88). A first network interface (85) of a first ring system and a first network interface (86) of a second ring system are coupled via first bridge connections (83, 84) to the two ring systems for transporting the cell stream to the two ring systems, and a second network interface (89) of the first ring system and a second network interface (90) of the second ring system are coupled via second bridge connections (87, 88) for transporting the cell stream to the two ring systems.

Abstract: The Domain Name System (DNS), which has been used for mapping names to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, is adapted to a broadcast environment, such as a broadband cable or satellite television network. A number of master files are stored on a broadcast name server that define zones of domains in a domain name space, which may include a television-related domain, with sub-domains for different service providers (e.g., ABC, HBO), and a cable domain, with sub-domains for applications, administrative functions and operating system-functions, e.g., at a set-top terminal. The television sub-domains may have their own sub-domains. For example, “ABC” may have the sub-domains “NEWS”, “WEATHER”, and “SPORTS.” The master files are used to form broadcast resource records, which include an identifier for broadcast services (e.g., “ABC”) or other data sources, and which are transmitted to end user terminal devices periodically, or in response to a query.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for selecting wide area network resources, such as resources identified by URL values, using a rotary knob for user input. A client device having a display and a rotary knob is used for accessing network resources via a public network using an application program, such as a browser application. Rotation of the knob is detected by the client device, which adjusts the contents of a previewing window according to the rotation of the knob. The previewing window identifies graphics corresponding to predefined network resources and the graphics are output in a preview area of the display on the client device. As the user rotates the knob, the graphics for the network resources in the preview window are scrolled through the preview area of the display under control of the knob. The preview area includes a selection frame for selecting a network resource.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically creating new users having transparent computer access to a destination network, wherein the users otherwise have access to a home network through home network settings resident on the users' computers, and wherein the users can access the destination network without altering the home network settings. The system includes a gateway device for receiving a request from a user for access to the destination network, a user profile database comprising stored access information and in communication with the gateway device, and an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server in communication with the gateway device and user profile database. The AAA server determines if user is entitled to access the destination network based upon the access information stored within the user profile database, and wherein the AAA server redirects the user to a login page where the access information does not indicate the user's right to access the destination network.

Abstract: In an information registration method of assigning a code to information and registering the information, information, a predetermined code assigned to the information, the first valid dates of the predetermined code, and the second valid dates of the information which are linked to each other are registered. This information registration method prevents any disadvantage due the valid dates of information having a code.

Abstract: There is disclosed a selection intermediary apparatus which reduces the cost of an intermediary system. The apparatus is provided with a request/response processor 235 which selects and outputs a message based on path information 233a, and path information preparing/propagating section 232 which generates a condition more moderate than a selection condition based on the path information 233a as the selection condition and propagates the generated condition to a client-side agent.

Abstract: A computing system provides a mobile computing environment of settings, accessible programs and accessible files for a user. The computing system is connectable to remote storage and has a local computing environment of settings, accessible programs and accessible files, an operating system, and a local storage. The computing system also includes an application program and a process manager for invoking the application program. The process manager allocates the& execution location of the application program when the application program is invoked, being an intermediary between the application program and the operating system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for allocating the performance of applications in a networking chassis among one or more modules in the chassis. In particular, the system acts as a chassis agent for performing network management functions. The agent performs a discovery function whereby each module discovers the location and current utilization of resources and applications for itself and transmits that information to other modules, and wherein each module maintains a slot table of such information for all modules. Based on the information in the slot table, each module performs an election function for allocating applications among the various modules in the chassis. The agent uses MIBs to gather information about the chassis and to effect control on the chassis, wherein each managed object is registered both locally and remotely in a MIB tree maintained on each module, and the data is maintained locally on the module on which the managed object resides.

Abstract: A system and method for filtering messages to identify spam. A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is identified in a message, and information is fetched from the site designated by the URL. The fetched information is analyzed to determine if the message that includes the URL is spam. If the message is spam, then a message filtering action is performed, such as deleting the message, displaying the message to the recipient with a flag, and sending the message to a third party.

Abstract: A method and system for providing flexible access to Internet sites is described. The system includes a database of Internet sites that have been categorized so that the system determines the category of information that a user is accessing on the Internet. The system is also programmed so users are only allowed to access sites within a particular category a limited number of times. Moreover, users can requested a postponed access, wherein the site they are requesting is stored to a server, and available to the user at a later time. In addition, if a user chooses to access a site that is within certain predefined categories, they are presented with the option of retrieving the page, but notified that their access will be logged to a file.

Abstract: An improved lookup service is provided that allows for the dynamic addition and deletion of services. This lookup service allows for the addition and deletion of services automatically, without user intervention. As a result, clients of the lookup service may continue using the lookup service and its associated services while the updates occur. Additionally, the lookup service provides a notification mechanism that can be used by clients to receive a notification when the lookup service is updated. By receiving such a notification, clients can avoid attempting to access a service that is no longer available and can make use of new services as soon as they are added to the lookup service.