Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for enabling partial replication of object stores, wherein two or more computers can partially replicate object stores by allowing synchronization of only such objects contained in the stores that are intended to be shared among the stores.

Abstract: Consistent and systematic location of program files and associated data files is enhanced by use of a software module that carries out migration of program files and associated data files in accordance with a stored set of policies on what programs are acceptable: what versions are current and/or obsolete and what locations for program and data files are acceptable. An optional feature is a resident program that monitors the installation process for programs and the creation process for files and carries out organization policies with regard to whether the program in question is approved and/or whether the file in question is located in an approved location.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for automatically configuring a user's portable device, include a module for inferring a current location of the user, and a module for configuring the portable device based on information contained in a configuration of the current location.

Abstract: A technique for automatically installing software on one or more network-connected computer systems is disclosed. A user makes a request through a World Wide Web (WWW) site to install software on one or more computer systems. Software agents residing on the computer systems, under the direction of the server underlying the WWW site, collect installation information and install and configure the software.

Abstract: An integrated calendar-phone mail system accepts input from a workstation to a calendar or to a voice-mail program periodically updating the phone mail data with new data from the calendar and updating the calendar data with new data from the phone mail.

Abstract: An encrypted audio decryption system for decrypting encrypted audio sound. The system includes a hearing device and a key FOB. The hearing device is adapted to receive the encrypted audio sound, decrypt the encrypted audio sound, and transmit signals corresponding to the decrypted audio sound to a speaker of the hearing device. The key FOB is adapted to transmit a decryption key to the hearing device. The hearing device is adapted not to decrypt the encrypted audio sound without receipt of the decryption key, corresponding to the encrypted audio sound, from the key FOB.

Abstract: A display security system including a display device and a key FOB. The display device includes an electrical display, a file with encrypted information, a system for displaying the encrypted information on the display, and a decryption key receiver. The key FOB is adapted to transmit a description key to the decryption key receiver of the display device. The display device is adapted to display the encrypted information on the display in a decrypted form when the receiver receives the decryption key from the key FOB. The display device is adapted to not display the encrypted information on the display in a decrypted form when the receiver does not receive the decryption key from the key FOB.

Abstract: A system for adjusting audio output including a transmitter unit adapted to be carried by a user and a sound generating system. The transmitter unit includes a memory and a signal transmitter. The sound generating system includes a sound generator, a signal receiver, means for altering a sound signal from the signal generator based upon a signal transmitted by the transmitter to the receiver, and speakers connected to the altering means.

Abstract: A software facility for administering and executing connectivity and information management tasks for a portable device, includes a module for selectively adding, deleting, and editing a location object, and a module for selectively initiating a request for a connection, disconnection, and information synchronization, based on the location object. The location object represents all location-specific information for the portable device and includes an information object including information management tasks that must be performed for a specific location for the portable device to connect to a remote network.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method, computer program product, and data processing system for providing automatic, mass-customized preparation of disk images. The invention relies on a front end, which interacts with customers and sales personnel to acquire self-consistent provisioning requirements. These requirements are input to a provisioning engine, which uses a knowledge base of constraints and affinities to generate a set of provisioning orders. These orders are input to a disk image builder, which automatically creates the disk image and saves it for distribution. The disk image builder also consults a knowledge base concerning best practices established by the service provider for disk image builds. Finally, the requirements are used to drive a disk image tester, which exercises the image as a quality inspection.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for managing services in a data processing system. A request is received for a service from a client. A location of the client is identified in response to receiving the request. Based on the location of the client, a determination is made as to whether the service is to be provided. If the service is provided, the client is billed for the service based on the location of the client.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for an organization to provide anonymity to a user in a data processing system. A request is received from the user for an anonymous identity. The anonymous identity is generated for a user, wherein the anonymous identity includes contact information for the organization. The anonymous identity is associated with the user, wherein the user uses the anonymous identify to provide information on a network data processing system. Contacts received under the anonymous by the organization are selectively forwarded to the user.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and network data processing system for identifying, locating, and deleting viruses is provided. In one embodiment, the network data processing system includes a local server, several client data processing systems, and a bait server. The address of the bait server is not published to the clients. Thus, any attempt to access the bait server would indicate the presence of a virus on the client attempting access. The bait server monitors itself and, responsive to an attempt from a client to access the bait server, broadcasts an indication that a virus attack is underway to all devices within the network. The bait server then ignores all further access requests by the offending client until it receives an indication that the offending client has been disinfected and directs the local server to disconnect the offending client(s) from the network.

Abstract: According to the teachings of the present invention there are provided a system and method for automatically supporting one or more registered products at a computing device, the computing device being enabled to communicate via a communication network to a support web server, the method comprising: downloading to the computing device a software agent; diagnosing malfunctions of the one or more products at the computing device and transmitting the malfunctions to said web server; communicating from the support web server to the software agent one or more solutions in response to receiving the malfunctions; and installing at least one of the one or more solutions thus transmitted at the computing device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for automating product registration of one or more products by transmitting product registration information generated at the time of purchase respectively to one or more manufacturers for subsequent completion of the registration of the one or more products automatically by the one or more manufacturers or by the customer.

Abstract: A system and method for providing event routing services for a subscriber-based system determines subscribers to which information of predetermined message types are provided and monitors a communication link which carries event messages communicated to a service provider by client systems. New messages are routed from the service provider to destinations based on the event messages and in accordance with the message types of the event messages. The new messages are mapped at the destinations to commands to perform services at the client systems or the service provider.

Abstract: A method and system for routing and servicing events provides a communication link which carries event messages communicated to a computer network. A router listens for the event messages of a given type and routes the event messages to a destination corresponding to the given type. A service controller is coupled to the at least one router, and the service controller maps the event messages routed thereto by the at least one router to commands to perform services.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for handling a virus in a network data processing system. A client data processing system monitors for the virus. In response to detecting the virus, the client data processing system sends notification of a presence of the virus on the data processing system to a server, wherein the notification includes an identification of an action taken in response to detecting the virus. Further, the client data processing system may take actions to eliminate or quarantine the virus. In a server data processing system, a notification of a presence of a virus on a client data processing system is received through a communications link. The communication with the client data processing system through the communications link is severed in response to receiving the notification. Virus removal processes may be executed on the server data processing system.

Abstract: A system and method wherein a mobile user or a user interacting with a mobile program, can at any time initiate a program status request. The program status request initiates the sequence of events whereby the current location of the program is determined and/or the current user location is made available to the program without the necessity of either entity changing location. Further, the agent script for the program maintains a composite data structure which includes an input buffer for storing input variables, an output buffer for storing output values to be displayed to the user, a program state data structure, and an optional bag buffer for temporarily storing input variables which the program will need in the course of future execution. By maintaining such a composite data structure, it is assured that all necessary information can be provided at a program location regardless of whether the program or the user has relocated.

Abstract: A system and method wherein a mobile user, or a user interacting with a mobile program, can at any time initiate a program status request. The program status request initiates the sequence of events whereby the current location of the program is determined and/or the current user location is made available to the program without the necessity of either entity changing location. Further, the agent script for the program maintains a composite data structure which includes an input buffer for storing input variables, an output buffer for storing output values to be displayed to the user, a program state data structure, and an optional bag buffer for temporarily storing input variables which the program will need in the course of future execution. By maintaining such a composite data structure, it is assured that all necessary information can be provided at a program location regardless of whether the program or the user has relocated.