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: In one embodiment the invention provides a method for establishing a point-to-point link between two peer nodes in a communications network. According to the method, one of the client and server roles is assigned to each of the two nodes based on a rule. Thereafter, the point-to-point link is established between the two nodes based on a predefined client-server connection protocol.

Abstract: A browser configuration architecture where input of a unique user ID automatically configures those browser applications preselected for auto-configuration from entries of a user preferences sheet. The user preferences sheet (2500) is part of the browser control software (2502) used for storing user preferences associated with one or more browser applications (2506, 2508, and 2510) loaded on a computer of the user. Upon completing the entry of preference information into the user preferences sheet (2500), the browser control software generates a unique user ID (2504) which is used to automatically configure the desired browser application according to the user preferences entered into the user preference sheet (2500). Each user of the browser control program (2502) of a computer is issued a unique user ID (2504) from which the respective user can auto-configure the desired browser application.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method which provides authentication for data services for at least one UE (12) using common authentication information based upon information stored in a HSS (16) of a home network (20) of the at least one UE for multiple protocols. At least one proxy server (18) stores authentication information for each of the protocols which may be used to provide data services to the at least one UE. Authentication of the protocols available to the at least one UE uses the authentication information stored at the at least one proxy server obtained from the protocol used in the home network of the at least one UE.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for encoding data in accordance with the present invention. The system includes a first subsystem for encoding a second data protocol within a formatted data protocol without disrupting display operations associated with the first data protocol. An encapsulation sequence is provided to isolate the second data protocol from the formatted data protocol, wherein a monitoring subsystem receives status from the first subsystem via the second data protocol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing personalized information content over telephones is described. The creation of a voice portal is supported by the invention. Embodiments of the invention use telephone identifying information such as the calling party's number to identify, or create, user profiles for customization. The personalized content is specific to that user based on her/his telephone identifying information and may be further customized based on the current time, current date, the calling party's locales, and/or the calling party's dialect and speech patterns. Also, the telephone identifying information may support targeted advertising, content, and purchasing recommendations specific to that user. The system may use a voice password and/or touch-tone login system when appropriate to distinguish the caller or verify the caller's identity for specific activities.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed and claimed herein comprises a system and method for launching a web browser on a network comprising a computer having an all new input interface and a communication interface coupled to a computer network; said audio input coupled to the audio output of a source for receiving an audio signal having encoded therein a unique code that is associated with a predetermined destination on the network; and a program operable on said computer responsive to receipt and decoding of the audio signal received from the source for interacting with connections of the computer to a web site available on the computer network wherein the location of the predetermined destination is not stored in a computer.

Abstract: A method of sending messages from a node to a receiving agent. In one embodiment, if a outbound message that is stored in a buffer in the node is unsuccessfully sent to the receiving agent more than a threshold number of times, outbound messages currently stored in the buffer are sent to the receiving agent. It is determined that these outbound messages have been successfully sent before any other outbound messages are sent to the receiving agent. In a further embodiment, an outbound message is successfully sent if a success confirmation message is received for the outbound message from the receiving agent. In a still further embodiment, a retry response is received from the receiving agent for an outbound message if a buffer in the receiving agent that stores incoming outbound messages does not have room for the outbound message.

Abstract: A browser configuration architecture where input of a unique user ID automatically configures those browser applications preselected for auto-configuration from entries of a user preferences sheet. The user preferences sheet (2500) is part of the browser control software (2502) used for storing user preferences associated with one or more browser applications (2506, 2508, and 2510) loaded on a computer of the user. Upon completing the entry of preference information into the user preferences sheet (2500), the browser control software generates a unique user ID (2504) which is used to automatically configure the desired browser application according to the user preferences entered into the user preference sheet (2500). Each user of the browser control program (2502) of a computer is issued a unique user ID (2504) from which the respective user can auto-configure the desired browser application.

Abstract: An application transaction (AT) server collects multiple user specified application operations for processing as a single application transaction and records essential information about each transaction being performed in a database. Such recordation enables the values of objects targeted by the particular application transaction prior to completion of a transaction to be restored in case of failed operation of the application transaction.

Abstract: A telecommunications network(10) having a distributive network management system(20) for remotely managing the plurality of network elements(38) has a management computer, or work station(22) with a management program communicating through the Internet by via managed object commands. An element management server(24) communicates through the computer Internet with the plurality of network elements(38) via a simplified network management protocol, or SNMP, to communicate management information concerning the plurality of network elements(38). The managed objects are responsive to managed object commands from the management computer(22) to provide the management information to the management program and to take actions as directed. Commands are composed in EMAPI notation to render them independent of any protocol used between the element manager server(24) and the managed network elements(38). Communications between the management computer(22) and the element manager server(24) utilizes CORBA.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product is provided for the determination of a single delivery status of a message sent to multiple recipients which also allows the message to be transmitted or transferred through multiple message protocols, such as Extended Simple Message Transfer Protocol (ESMTP), Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI), and Vendor Independent Messaging (VIM). A sender generates an original message that is intended to be sent to multiple recipients. When a delivery status notification is received from a recipient, the delivery status notification contains a protocol-specific delivery status code. The protocol-specific status codes of multiple messaging protocols are mapped to a protocol-neutral set of status codes that can be commonly applied to any given messaging protocol.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for a lease-based timeout scheme that addresses fencing's shortcomings. Unlike fencing, this scheme (or protocol) enables an isolated computer to realize it is disconnected from the distributed system and write its dirty data out to storage before its locks are stolen. In accordance with the invention, data consistency during a partition in a distributed system is ensured by establishing a lease based protocol between in the distributed system wherein a client can hold a lease with a server. The lease represents a contract between a client and a server in which the server promises to respect the client for a period of time. The server respects the contract even when it detects a partition between the client and itself.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a technique for collaborative browsing among users at two or more different PCs. In an illustrative system in accordance with the present invention, copies of selected URLs are shared among collaborating PCs, each of which uses the URL to retrieve the corresponding document. In this system, a PC is configured to select hyperlinks for itself and one or more other PCs. Each URL corresponding to a selected hyperlink is communicated via the Internet (using standard Internet protocols) to a server. The server broadcasts the URL to the collaborating PCs each of which retrieves the corresponding document in conventional fashion. The server knows the IP addresses of the collaborating PCs through a collaboration set-up process which occurs in advance of the actual collaborative browsing session.

Abstract: A telecommunications network includes a service control processor and a plurality of network nodes, in which the network is arranged to operate under a programmable intelligent network protocol. The protocol incorporates a hierarchical control relationship in which the nodes incorporate a degree of intelligence.

Abstract: A shared storage distributed file system is presented that provides users and applications with transparent access to shared data stored on network attached storage devices by utilizing layering techniques to inherit file management functionality from existing file systems. The present invention stores meta-data for the shared data as real-data in a standard, non-modified, client-server distributed file system, such as NFS. In effect, the standard client-server file system acts as a meta-data server. The name space consisting of inode files stored as real-data on the meta-data server acts as the name space for the shared data. Similarly, file attributes of the inode files are utilized as the file attributes of the shared data. By utilizing an existing client-server system as the meta-data server, development time and complexity are greatly reduced, while speed advances in the underlying client-server system may be incorporated without alteration of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a communication apparatus between distributed objects comprising: a plurality of separate software buses adapted to determine whether or not a communication service of which function and property is provided in a distributed platform; a platform administrator adapted to build and administrate a communication architecture in the distributed platform; a bus manager adapted to manage both a standard of types of the plurality of software buses and a bus object instance in the distributed platform by a strategic plan and an instruction of the platform administrator; a bus trader adapted to provide a trade function through an interaction with the bus manager, and a client object and a server object of an application level; an object trader adapted to allow the client to dynamically find an appropriate server; a repository adapted to provide a function which stores persistently instance information and various types of the plurality of software buses; a bus adapter adapted to provide the client and serv

Abstract: Controlling the flow of information between senders and receivers across links being used as channels. In one example, a self-timed interface link is adapted to be used as a channel. Such an interface is referred to as an integrated cluster bus. The flow control for the integrated cluster bus includes, for instance, a Data Request packet that indicates to the transmitter of data that it can now send the data; a continue indicator that specifies that more data is to follow; and a sequence indicator that is used to determine if a particular message is in proper sequence order. The integrated cluster bus does not require large data buffers and offers low latency messaging.

Abstract: Multiple instances of operating systems execute cooperatively in a single multiprocessor computer wherein all processors and resources are electrically connected together. The single physical machine with multiple physical processors and resources is subdivided by software into multiple partitions, each with the ability to run a distinct copy, or instance, of an operating system. At different times, different operating system instances may be loaded on a given partition. Resources, such as CPUs and memory, can be dynamically assigned to different partitions and used by instances of operating systems running within the machine by modifying the configuration. The partitions themselves can also be changed without rebooting the system by modifying the configuration tree. Each instance keeps track of the CPUs in the system and their respective operational statuses relative to the instance, such as compatibility with the instance, control by the instance, and availability to the instance for SMP processing.

Abstract: An interactive doll is disclosed having one or more sensors contained therein. The one or more sensors are operable to trigger output of a signal from the doll in response to the one or more sensors being activated by physical stimuli of a user. A processor located with the user and the doll at a first node of a global communication network processes the signal. The processor is operable to link the signal with one or more remote nodes also located on the global communication network. The one or more remote nodes return information to the processor for presentation to the user via the user's computer, in response to the one or more sensors being activated.