Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving system performance by controlling the flow of transactions between interconnected nodes by considering the system resources required for a transaction response when determining whether to send a transaction. The system uses a debit system for tracking the space consumed by pending transactions between nodes within a particular flow-control class. The system allocates a certain maximum number of debits to a flow-control class. Each time a transaction is sent, a number of debits required to respond to the transaction is computed and added to a debit register. When the debit register reaches the maximum number of debits allocated to it, no more transactions are sent. As transaction responses are completed, the debit register balance is decreased to reflect that more space within the flow-control class for debits is available, such that new transactions might be processed.

Abstract: A method and a system are described for directing a client to the most optimal, most available Web site or to the most optimal content in a distributed content environment, using an Internet Site Selector, which is an Internet appliance that optimizes the performance of domains hosted on mirrored, geographically distributed Web sites. The system includes various components including the Internet Site Selectors which co-locate with each Web site. The method comprises a number of steps including sending client requests to a primary or main site, redirecting by an Internet Site Selector coupled to the primary or main site the modified client requests to all other participating Internet Site Selectors. Several modes and deployments of the Internet Site Selectors, including geographic site selection, multiple Internet Site Selectors at each Web site, Internet Site Selector grouping, Internet Site Selectors in content routing are described.

Abstract: A cPCI server system includes a plurality of host processor cards for providing management LAN communications and payload LAN communications. A first card is coupled to the plurality of host processor cards and is coupled to a payload LAN. The plurality of host processor cards are configured to provide payload LAN communications through the first card. A second card is coupled to the plurality of host processor cards and can be optionally coupled to a management LAN. The plurality of host processor cards are configured to provide management LAN communications with the management LAN through the second card.

Abstract: A dynamic flow determination apparatus dynamically determines a flow by means of an action chain in event processing performed in a distributed system. Having generality and independence of actions, event processing is executed or changed flexibly. Parts executed in event processing are separated as actions, and definitions of event processing are defined from action parts, which are changeable. When a received message is an event object, action execution unit 14 ignites a flow control unit 20. The flow control unit 20 selects actions to be ignited from the actions stored in an agent in accordance with a type of the received event object, whereby, repeated selections, the action chain is realized.

Abstract: A system for enabling access to non-HTML files from a web browser. The system includes a database for storing non-HTML files. A system user requests a non-HTML file from a database using a web browser. The web browser transmits the request to a server via a HTTP server and module. The server locates and retrieves the document requested. The module translates the document to a format supported by the web browser. The HTTP server communicates the translated file to the web browser over a network. The web browser then presents the translated file to the system user. The server also includes a workflow module which distributes, routes and tracks documents according to predefined processes. The workflow module may execute the processes based on fields within the documents.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus determines whether or not data are being transmitted, and receives the image data when data have been transmitted. Then, a plurality of address data of the sending side are obtained. Then, the obtained plurality of address data of the sending side are recorded in an address memory. Finally, the apparatus transmits its own plurality of address data to the obtained address of the sending side, and the reception process ends.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improved communication in a communications system is disclosed. The improvement involves storing connection data at a client end of a client-server connection within a communications system. Connection data is transmitted from a server communications device to a data access device. This connection data history can later be retrieved and analyzed by a server communications device to assist in the optimal configuration of communication sessions between the data access device and the server communications device within the communications system.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing data from a graphical code reading device to a software module. The system includes a graphical code reading device that scans a graphical code and provides graphical code data. A computer is in electronic communication with the graphical code reading device and receives the graphical code data from the graphical code reading device. The computer includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor and a communications port in electronic communication with the processor for communicating with the graphical code reading device. An association may include a data type and a software module identifier. A driver is used to receive the graphical code data and obtain the software module identifier through use of the data type to provide the graphical code data to the software module identified by the software module identifier.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for alleviating problems of long latency or delay periods on the Internet through the presentation of filler content that keeps the user occupied. The cause and extent of the latency or delay may be identified either at a client or server computer and then communicated to the client computer to trigger the presentation of the filler content on the client computer. The filler content may comprise text data, graphics data, audio data, audiovisual data, or other data as desired, and provides just enough distraction to keep the user occupied, while retaining him/her for the completion of the session, transaction, or activity. The filler content may be provided by either a server computer or a client computer, and may be selected automatically by the server computer or the client computer or may be selected manually by the user so that it can be customized based on his/her taste for filler contents.

Abstract: A broadcast data access system is provided for receiving broadcast data by applications residing on a multimedia client, where the broadcast data is a set of modules on a data carousel that are being broadcast over a broadcast network. The broadcast data access system includes an interest manager configured to store a plurality of interests, such that each interest identifies an available module on the data carousel being requested by an application. The system further includes at least one application having registered an interest for a first module with the interest manager, and a dispatcher distributing the first module to the requesting application by accessing the interest manager.

Abstract: A server application system includes a server application module that performs predetermined functions in response to external user requests. The server application system further includes a characterization module coupled to receive the external user requests, and to determine a threshold for user tolerance of delay for each of the user requests. Tolerance threshold is calculated using task type, service level, and session duration. A classification module is then coupled to the characterization module to dynamically assign each of the user requests an allowable processing deadline based on the corresponding user tolerance threshold of that user request. The processing deadline specifies the time period within which the particular user request must be serviced by the server application module. A method of admitting incoming user requests to a server application is also described.

Abstract: A physical location is learned for a resource communicating with a network. A global resource locator (GRL) tag is assigned to the resource. The GRL tag includes at least a description of the physical location of the resource. The GRL tag is communicated over the network. A client receives the GRL tag and extracts the description of the location of the resource. The GRL tag may include a coordinate system and coordinates for the resource identifying the location of the resource. The GRL tag may also include a descriptive label of the resource. The GRL tag is either stored on the resource or in a list of resources on a server. GRL tags may be searched by applying user selected search criteria to the GRL tag. An example of user selected search criteria is a comparison of the location of the user to the location of the resource.

Abstract: An enhanced data networking service is disclosed that assists a patron in locating a resource provider who might be capable of providing the resource (e.g., information, goods, realty, intangibles, or services, etc.) sought by the patron and also initiates a telecommunication session between the patron and the resource provider so that they may communicate and provide the patron with the resource sought. The telecommunication session can be a voice telecommunications session, video telecommunications session, or a text telecommunications session. The telecommunications session can be conducted via the public switched telephone network or a data network such as the Internet. An illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises: receiving, via a data network, at least one keyword from a patron; querying a database with the at least one keyword to select a resource provider; and initiating a telecommunication session between the patron and the resource provider.

Abstract: A system and process for tracking users' usage of content in computer systems. The tracking and accumulation of content usage information allows content providers to understand more about their user base. In a computer system having numerous users, it is advantageous to provide relevant customized content in addition to any specifically requested content. By storing and processing content usage information for users in a computer system, customized content may be provided to a user based on the user's previous usage of similar content. In operation, a computer system hosting various content creates a unique identifier, having data storage space, for a given user of the computer system. When a user sends a request for content to the computer system, a unique identifier is created and/or updated with information relevant to a user's content request. The identifier is passed back to the user with the specifically desired content.

Abstract: A medium is set in a computer, and identification information of the set medium is read out. Related information about the medium is obtained in accordance with the identification information read from the medium. The obtained related information is displayed on a display.

Abstract: A presentation of a selected document, stored at a node of a network, is accomplished by means of a system essentially comprising a handheld device, a communication device for a presentation unit and a device that handles presentation requests. By operating the handheld device, a user is able to get a presentation unit specification from said communication device. This specification is then sent, together with an address to a selected document, to a device handling presentation requests. In this device the selected document is then converted to a format suitable for the presentation unit of said communication device, where the converted document is presented. The system could be using WAP-technology for sending information from the handheld device to the device that handles presentation requests and for accessing information on the Internet. Further the system could, for example, be using Bluetooth or IrDA for the communication between the handheld device and said communication device.

Abstract: A public telephone and Internet access system that comprises Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) that are connected to an ethernet or other Local Area Network by a network cradle, and a number of ethernet telephones connected to the same Local Area Network. The PDAs store encrypted information about their owners, including the owner's name, their phone forwarding preferences, access permissions to the network, and charging/billing information. When a PDA is attached to a network cradle, this information is automatically transferred to the gatekeeper, which is a server that performs management tasks for the ethernet phone network. These tasks include deciding whether or not a user is allowed to sign up and use a public ethernet phone, maintaining billing and charging information, and forwarding incoming calls for a given user to the ethernet phone at the user's current location. This invention provides a secure method for the PDA and the gatekeeper to exchange authentication information.

Abstract: An execution architecture, a development architecture and an operations architecture for a netcentric computing system. The execution architecture contains common, run-time services required when an application executes in the netcentric computing system. The development architecture is the production environment for one or several systems development projects as well as for maintenance efforts. The purpose of the development environment is to support the tasks involved in the analysis, design, construction, and maintenance of business systems, as well as the associated management processes. It is important to note that the environment should adequately support all the development tasks, not just the code/compile/test/debug cycle. The operations architecture is a combination of tools and support services required to keep a production system up and running efficiently.

Abstract: A method and system for providing performance analysis on a computer system is disclosed. The computer system includes at least one resource group and at least one node. The method and system include obtaining performance data for a plurality of monitors for the at least one resource group and analyzing the performance data to determine whether performance of the system can be improved using the at least one resource group. Preferably, performance is improved by moving the resource group between nodes. The method and system include graphically displaying the performance data graphically displaying performance data for at least one monitor of the plurality of monitors for the at least one resource group.

Abstract: A DNS server filter comprising a packet receiving section for receiving an inquiry from a terminal or a DNS server in a DNS protocol and a response packet from a DNS server, a session management section for managing inquiries and response packets for an entire control having a session management table for managing inquiry requests, a packet verification section for verifying whether the inquiry and the response packet are abnormal, a request generating section for generating an inquiry packet to the DNS server, a response generating section for generating a response packet returned to a transmission source of the inquiry packet, and a packet transmitting section for transmitting the inquiry and the response packet, wherein contents of the received DNS packet are checked that there is no abnormality before the received DNS packet is transmitted to the DNS server and an error response packet is generated and returned to a request source if an abnormality is detected.