Abstract: A structure and method for processing a one-to-one request from a client program to multiple instances of a server program over a protocol includes transferring the request from the client program to a multiplexor, generating a plurality of instances of the request using the multiplexor (wherein each of the instances of the request corresponds to a different instance of the server program), transferring the instances of the request from the multiplexor to the instances of the server program, transferring a plurality of responses from the instances of the server program to the multiplexor, converting the responses to a uniform response; and transferring the uniform response to the client program.

Abstract: Streaming to a terminal by using a duplicating switch to receive a stream of data units, using the duplicating switch to store content from the stream, using the duplicating switch to generate a second stream that incorporates the content that was stored and address information corresponding to more than one terminal whose addressing information was not part of the first stream, and using the duplicating switch to make the second stream of data units available to two or more terminals.

Abstract: A method and device for configuring a firewall in a computer system employing a rule for controlling access between a source resource and a destination resource only if said source and destination resources belong to the same protection domain. At a central configuration machine, an access control rule is specified, including a scope, for each resource group, the scope, and thus the access control rule is capable of being interpreted by each of the plurality of firewalls differently depending on the value of the scope and network resource characteristics associated with each of the plurality of firewalls.

Abstract: A method is described for adaptive load-balancing and graceful termination of access points in a network having a plurality of access points. The method includes determining a need to reduce a load of a first access point, and increasing a beacon interval corresponding to the first access point in order to detract clients. Correspondingly, beacon intervals for other access points may be reduced in order to attract more clients.

Abstract: Methods and systems for verifying a user as a member of an affinity group, including receiving user information identifying a user identity and at least one affinity group, and based on the user information, querying at least one networked data source to associate at least one status with the user information. The user information can include at least one of a name, a user name, a social security number, a group identification number, a personal identification number, a member number, a password, a telephone number, a loan number, an email address, a mailing address, a certificate number, and an employee number, for example. The methods and system can thus provide an offer to the user based on the status associated with the user. A threshold can be used in some embodiments to determine whether a further query can be performed to verify status within the affinity group.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selecting an insurance carrier for an online insurance policy purchase are disclosed. A user at a client device, such as a personal computer connected to the Internet, receives a plurality of business insurance quotes with minimal data input requirements. A plurality of insurance carriers are narrowed down to a few relevant insurance carriers based on the user's zip code, standard industrial code (SIC), desired insurance products, a small number of “kill” questions, and a customized insurance application which is dynamically generated in response to previous answers.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for cache management and regeneration of dynamically-generated locale-sensitive content (DGLSC) in one or more server computers within a client-server computer network. One embodiment of the method of this invention can comprise receiving a request for content from a user at a client computer and determining the user's locale preference with, for example, an automatic locale detection algorithm. The requested content can be dynamically generated from a template as DGLSC based on the user locale preference. If the template is a cacheable template, a locale-sensitive filename can be generated for the DGLSC based on the user locale preference. The locale-sensitive filename can be associated with the DGLSC.

Abstract: The invention provides a computer system which is related with a Web server for providing a Web site over the Internet. The computer system is configured to comprise customer type determining means for determining a customer type of a user based on a transition of the user's content requests when the user is accessing the Web site and Web page providing means for providing an appropriate Web page for the user based on the determined customer type. According to the invention, it is possible to determine a customer type of a user while the user is accessing a Web site and present a Web page appropriate to that user based on the determined customer type of the user.

Abstract: A method of distributing data in a network including a server and an end-user computer. The end-user computer queries the server for a distribution list and then receives that list from the server. The end-user computer then determines if the distribution list is non-empty, and if it is non-empty, selects a distribution from the distribution list using a selected one of manual and automatic modes. The selected distribution is then downloaded from the server to the end-user computer.

Abstract: A system, method and medium of sending messages in a distributed data processing network is described, and contemplates receiving a message that includes subject information that is generated based on one or more pre-selected portions as the message is generated. A message delivery system in a client-server environment is also described. The message delivery system includes a server configured to receive a message that includes subject information that is generated based on one or more pre-selected portions as the message is created and configured to forward the message based on the subject information.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus, system, and method for the improved tracking of a data state. The present invention allows session states to be maintained by sites that run on multiple, load-balanced servers. The present invention removes a single point of failure in a system, thus preventing all active sessions from being lost by providing persistent session data distributable across one or more machines over a communications network.

Abstract: A system and method for caching and accessing rights in a distributed computing system is disclosed. An agent, that is located on a Distributed Deputization Point (DPP) parses a directory service. The agent then updates the rights to an Access Control List (ACL) cache. The ACL cache then receives, from an authenticated user, a request for the rights. The ACL cache retrieves the rights and forwards them to the user. The user may now access certain resources based on the rights it has obtained the first time it accesses these resources. Additionally, if the user attempts to access certain resources that are not contained in the ACL cache, a resource manger is invoked which provides the access control rights for the missing resources to the ACL cache.

Abstract: A remote data acquisition, transmission and analysis system including handheld wireless equipment to obtain operational data and the status of remote machines is disclosed. A plurality of application controllers are interfaced with the remote machines from which operation data is acquired by the application controllers. The application controllers communicate with an application host via a local area network. The application host may communicate with a network operations center using a wide area network. The handheld wireless equipment may be used to obtain operational information for each remote machine from the network operations center.

Abstract: A remote data acquisition and transmission system and method are disclosed. A plurality of application controllers are interfaced with remote equipment from which operation data is acquired by the application controllers. The application controllers communicate with an application host via a local area network, and the application host can communicate with a network operations center using a wide area network interface. In one embodiment, each application controller interfaces with remote equipment that comprises a vending machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for collecting, storing and communicating vending machine transaction data. The system preferably includes an embedded data collection and storage device that, when placed inside a vending machine, will collect both DEX and MDB data using a combination of ad-hoc scheduling and trigger-based events. In addition, the embedded data collection and storage device may collect transaction data concerning handheld transactions as well as vending machine error transactions, including timestamps. Functionality operable to permit handheld computer communication with the vending machine, as well as at least a cashless media transaction device may also be included. Data transferred to the handheld computer may be subsequently communicated to one or more host applications or credit agencies.

Abstract: Timekeeping apparatus providing premises-automation-related function through a network. A household appliance or device such as a bedside alarm clock provides time-based control functions as well as premises automation related functions. The device is connected to the premises automation system through a local area network (LAN), or some other type of network interface. The device contains a display unit to display the time and other information. The device also includes an internal processing system that controls the device to provide the time-based control function and to send and receive messages over the network. Sent messages can include time-keeping status information, reports of user input, or packets designed to set outputs in the premises automation system. Received messages can control local actions such as time settings and display of premises automation status information.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product of prioritizing network services is provided. Such prioritization may comprise a better level of service, more timely system response and/or preferential treatment of traffic. In an embodiment, prioritization is controlled by defining modes and levels of prioritization typically based on criteria, such as the value of a transaction, the standing of a user, or the type of transaction. Prioritization can also be established, for example, for a preset length of time or for one or more given transactions. The modes of prioritization may comprise remapping TCP ports to which a communication is directed, remapping (including redirecting) uniform resource locators (URLs) and/or Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to which a communication is directed and/or tagging communications with quality of service (QoS) information.

Abstract: Routing table update messages that include both network-level and link-level addresses of nodes of a computer network are exchanged among the nodes of the computer network. Further, a routing table maintained by a first one of the nodes of the computer network may be updated in response to receiving one or more of the update messages. The routing table is preferably updated by selecting a next node to a destination node of the computer network only if every intermediate node in a path from the next node to the destination node satisfies a set of nodal conditions required by the first node for its path to the destination node and the next node offers the shortest distance to the destination node and to every intermediate node along the path from the next node to the destination node. The shortest distance to the destination node may be determined according to one or more link-state and/or node-state metrics regarding communication links and nodes along the path to the destination node.

Abstract: A method for integrating multiple web servers based on individual client authorization consists of setting up a client, a master web server, and at least one slave web server through a network such that after the said master web server receives commands inputted by the said client, an authentication routine relative to the said client is executed based on the said commands to determine the individual authorization level of the said client and web pages are collected from the said master server and slave web that the client is permitted to browse based on the said individual authorization level and, furthermore, web pages are respectively displayed via a specific screen model on the computer system of the said client.

Abstract: A network system comprises: a WWW server 40 for executing a server process; a server 10 for providing a proxy server function; a client 20, which is connected to a communication network 30 for accessing the WWW server 40 and the server 10. The server 10 stores a Web file 11 that includes a proxy server function that can be displayed as a Web page by a Web browser, and that can be read and activated by the Web browser. The client 20 incorporates the Web browser that displays a Web page based on the Web file 11, which is downloaded from the server 10 via the communication network 30. When the Web file 11 is read by the Web browser, the proxy server function of the Web file 11 is initiated.