Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for filtering unsolicited electronic commercial messages. A system and method according to the present invention for screening out unsolicited commercial messages comprises the steps of receiving a message from a sender, sending a challenge back to the sender, receiving a response to the challenge, and determining if the response is a proper response.

Abstract: A system for coupling a local area network to a wide area network utilizes a PCI (Peripheral Component Interface) bus to couple a PCI interface to a PCI network interface card, which is coupled to the wide area network. The wide area network could be an asynchronous transfer mode network or a high bandwidth ethernet. If the PCI network interface card operates as a PCI master, then the PCI interface will operate as a PCI slave. If the PCI network interface card operates as a PCI slave, then the PCI interface of the invention will operate as a PCI master.

Abstract: A transaction time measurement mechanism has a transaction time manager running on a server computer system, a transaction time agent running on a client computer system that is coupled to the server computer system via a network, and a simple protocol for allowing them to directly and efficiently communicate. The transaction time agent is configured according to configuration data stored in a configuration table in a transaction time database, and stores transaction time data in a statistics table according to this configuration. The data in the statistics table is indexed to allow retrieving only the transaction time data of interest. The simple communication protocol supports multiple transaction time managers in a network computing environment that may all communicate with a single client.

Abstract: A multi-processor system makes it possible to enhance information transmitted between processors. Any one of the processors can inject information into a data transmission between other processors. The injected information can identify or indicate the location of one processor with respect to another processor. Alternately, it can define which processor or processors should respond or specify an action to be taken. Where one processor is transmitting to another processor, a third processor, upon detecting the transmission, can insert additional information into the transmission sequence at an appropriate location. A fourth processor, also monitoring the communications sequence could insert additional information into the same sequence as well.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting a video bitstream over a communication medium is provided. The video bitstream is carried as payload data within packets of a transport protocol by dynamically determining whether to fragment the video bitstream at current macroblock. If no determination of fragmentation occurs, based upon the maximum transfer unit size of the transport protocol, the current macroblock is transmitted in a current transport protocol packet. However, if a determination of fragmentation occurs, synchronization information and the current macroblock are transmitted in another transport protocol packet. Permitting dynamic insertion of synchronization information, gives rise to a flexible video bitstream that can be efficiently packetized for a variety of transport protocols.

Abstract: In a data network including server systems and client systems, a method of converting data from a first format unusable by a client system into a second format usable by the client system comprising the steps of sending the data to a parsing server capable of converting such data from the first format to the second format, parsing the data in the parsing server from the first format to the second format, and sending the data in the second format to the client system.

Abstract: To determine the name that specifies the Systems Network Architecture logical-unit-characteristics set that a host (12) systems services control point is to associate with a TN3270 server (18) logical-unit process that is to represent a client terminal (14), the server (18) generates the name from the client's device type algorithmically, i.e., without looking the name up in a server-maintained table entered by using the device type as the key. This eliminates the need for server updates when new device types are introduced. Additionally, the algorithm used to generate the name depends on whether the client has negotiated to receive a copy of the data transmitted in the BIND message by which another logical unit initiates a session with the logical unit that will represent the client. In that way, the host's systems services control point can send the client data streams in the form that it expects, and the server is relieved of the need to perform any translation.

Abstract: An message handling system for handling the delivery of critical and time critical messages for a near-real-time or real-time simulation environment. A message delivery type (38) accompanies each message (34) to designate whether the message (34) is delivery critical (46) or time critical (42). A message receiver (50) receives the message (34). A message delivery selector (58) selects a protocol based on the message delivery type (38) as determined by a message type determinator (54). The selected protocol conforms to a message format which has a common header and a message component. The message (34) is then sent to the intended recipient computer via the selected protocol.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for providing a general-purpose, multifunction, individually addressable, full-bandwidth bi-directional communication device with built-in Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) capabilities that connects a home or business user with ATM and other switched broadband digital networks in a convenient, adaptable, extensible manner at reasonable cost. The device supports a Document Services Architecture (DSA) and, in particular, supports agent-based communications (including interaction with an Agent Instance Service) to ensure well-behaved communications and fair allocation of network resources among users. The device can be used in a heterogeneous environment and with different types of networks and protocols. The full-bandwidth bi-directional communication and built-in AAA capabilities of the device distinguish it from other "set-top boxes.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method for conducting an interview between a server computer and a respondent computer, the interview includes a number of questions and each question has a unique question identifier. The server computer generates and transmits to the respondent computer signals indicative of a first question and signals indicative of a first question identifier, which is the question identifier of the first question. The respondent computer, in turn, generates and transmits to the server computer signals indicative of the identity of the respondent, signals indicative of a first answer to a second question, and signals indicative of a second question identifier, which is the question identifier of the second question. The respondent computer thereby answers the second question. The server computer stores the signals indicative of the first answer at a location prescribed by the signals indicative of the identity of the respondent computer.

Abstract: The invention provides a communication system for accessing system services on a network of information handling devices including a server running on a host computer adapted to listen at a predefined port for requests for connection to service access agents; where the requests come from a client application; wherein the server is adapted to determine how to start the access agent for service as specified in the request; wherein the server is adapted to start the access agent with a dynamically assigned socket; and, wherein the client is notified by acknowledgment of the request, the acknowledgment including identification of the assigned socket to communicate with the requested access agent; the dynamically assigned socket being selected by system services from sockets available on the host computer on which the server is running; the access agent being adapted to access a requested service.

Abstract: A system prefetches most frequently used domain names and stores the domain name data at local cache servers. It generates validity codes to enable error checking for valid domain names at the local cache servers without accessing root servers. A cache server obtains, stores, and propagates updates or new DNS data to local cache servers at predetermined intervals. Users can obtain internet protocol addresses of domain names directly from local cache servers, thus eliminating processing delays over the Internet.

Abstract: A system for fast, efficient and reliable communication of object state irmation among a group of processes combines the use of a fast, but lossy and thus unreliable communications channel to the group of processes and a server coupled to the group for providing data which has been lost in the multicasting. In one embodiment, a central server supports reliability and rapid joining while using UDP multicast messaging to achieve rapid interaction and low bandwidth. Differential messages are sent over the lossy channel to compactly describe how to compute the new state of an object from any of several previous states. Such a description can be interpreted even if some number of prior descriptions were not received, greatly reducing the need for explicit, round-trip message repairs while also conserving bandwidth. In one embodiment, the central server communicates with each member of the group over a reliable channel to robustly detect and repair objects affected by lost messages.

Abstract: A system and method for regulating access to a proxy cache server residing on an institutional intranet or local network provides a directory for storing user names that are appended to client requests for remote web site information. The proxy cache server reads the appended requests and either accepts or denies access to the requested information based upon predetermined access control guidelines relative to the specific user name. The access control guidelines can be stored on the directory, and down-loaded to the proxy cache server's memory as needed. The proxy cache server stores and retrieves requested site information via the Internet, but only retrieves and delivers requested site information to clients if authorization is approved.