Abstract: An interface with a point of sale (POS) system at a place of business, and more specifically, an interface that is external to the POS software and capable of interfacing disparate POS systems. A point of sale specific interface (POSSI), which functions to bidirectionally translate POS system specific data that is communicated from the existing POS system database into generic transaction/update upload bundles that are communicated to the business server software (BSS). Having bidirectional translating capability, the POSSI may provide communications between a central subsystem database of a consumer loyalty system, accessible via the BSS and an internet connection, and disparate pre-existing POS systems at various places of business. Acting as a go-between, the POSSI communicates with the BSS by means of a generic interface, while the POSSI communicates with disparate POS systems by means of a system specific interface.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for communicating data including prioritizing data by assigning a priority to the data, analyzing a network to determine a status of the network, and communicating the data based at least in part on the priority of the data and the status of the network. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for communicating data including a data prioritization component, a network analysis component, and a data communications component. The data prioritization component is adapted to prioritize data by assigning a priority to the data. The network analysis component is adapted to analyze a network to determine a status of the network. The data communications component is adapted to communicate the data based at least in part on the priority of the data and the status of the network.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide for a system and method for preserving bandwidth in data networks. The method includes determining whether to perform functional redundancy processing for a current data set. Determining whether to perform functional redundancy processing for a current data set may be conducted according to redundancy rules. In performing functional redundancy processing, the method includes receiving a first data set and a second data set and storing the first data set in a queue. The method may also include determining whether the content of the first data set is functionally redundant to the content of said second data set. If the contents of the first data set are functionally redundant to the contents of the second data set, the method includes transmitting the first data set and dropping the second data set. Functionally redundant messages are dropped prior to transmission, optimizing bandwidth.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for facilitating communication of data. A method for prioritizing a block of data to provide content-based quality of service in a network includes receiving a block of data, selecting a selected rule from a set of available rules, processing the block of data, and prioritizing the block of data. The selected rule includes an operation and a key. The block of data is processed according to the selected rule based at least in part on the operation to determine a decision value based at least in part on the key. The block of data is prioritized based at least in part on the decision value.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for mode-driven communication management. Certain embodiments include organizing a plurality of parameters into a profile representing a mode of communication operation. The plurality of parameters define a mode for a network. The network is configured in accordance with parameters of the profile. Quality of service is provided for communication on the network according to the profile. Certain embodiments provide a network communication system providing quality of service. The system includes a communication manager controlling a flow of messages in a network. The system also includes a message management rules module applying one or more rules to affect the flow of the messages in the network. The one or more rules are configured by a mode defined in a profile.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide for a system and method for preserving bandwidth in data networks. The method includes determining whether to perform functional redundancy processing for a current data set. Determining whether to perform functional redundancy processing for a current data set may be conducted according to redundancy rules. In performing functional redundancy processing, the method includes searching at least one queue for a data set that is functionally redundant to the current data set. The searching may be conducted according to redundancy rules. If a queued data set is found to be functionally redundant to the current data set, the queued data set may be dropped from the queue and the current data set added to the queue. In such a manner, functionally redundant messages are dropped prior to transmission and bandwidth is optimized.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for communicating inbound network data to provide QoS. The method includes receiving data over a network at a node, prioritizing the data at the node by assigning a priority to the data, and communicating the data to an application at the node based at least in part on the priority of the data. The data priority is based at least in part on message content. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for communicating inbound networking data to provide QoS. The system includes a data prioritization component adapted to prioritize data by assigning a priority to the data and a data communications component adapted to receive the data over a network and to communicate the data to an application based at least in part on the priority of the data. The data priority is based at least in part on message content.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide for a system and method for fault-tolerant QoS data communication including differentiating one or more message data into a primary storage, storing the differentiated one or more message data in a secondary storage if the primary storage becomes exhausted, prioritizing the one or more message data, and communicating the one or more message data. The one or more message data may be differentiated based on one or more queue selection rules. The one or more message data may be prioritized based on one or more queue sequencing rules. The one or more message data may be communicated based at least in part on the prioritization of the one or more message data.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for communicating inbound network data to provide QoS. The method includes receiving data from an application, prioritizing the data by assigning a priority to the data, and communicating the data over a network based at least in part on the priority of the data. The data priority is based at least in part on message content. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for communicating inbound networking data to provide QoS. The system includes a data prioritization component adapted to prioritize data by assigning a priority to the data and a data communications component adapted to receive the data from an application and to communicate the data over a network based at least in part on the priority of the data. The data priority is based at least in part on message content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for facilitating communication of data. A method includes providing quality of service in a network including receiving data, prioritizing the data, transforming the data to generate transformed data, and communicating the transformed data. The data is received based at least in part on a first protocol. The data is prioritized to support a quality of service standard. The transformed data is based at least in part on a second protocol. The second protocol is different from the first protocol.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for communicating data with message content over a network to provide Quality of Service. The method includes receiving data over a network, prioritizing the data, and communicating the data based at least in part on the priority. The step of prioritizing the data includes differentiating the data based at least in part on message content. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for communicating data including a data prioritization component and a data communications component. The data prioritization component is adapted to prioritize data. The data prioritization component includes a differentiation component. The differentiation component is adapted to differentiate the data based at least in part on message content. The data communications component is adapted to communicate the data based at least in part on the priority.

Abstract: The presently described technology provides a computing device capable of being connected to a node in a first network and capable of applying one or more Quality of Service (“QoS”) algorithms to one or more subsets of data communicated in the first network. The device is also capable of applying the QoS algorithms to the subsets of data at or above a transport layer of a protocol of the first network. The presently described technology also provides a method for applying one or more QoS algorithms. The method includes connecting a computing device to a first network and applying the QoS algorithms to one or more subsets of data independent of a protocol of the first network.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method for communicating data over a network to provide Quality of Service. The method includes receiving data over a network, prioritizing the data, and communicating the data based at least in part on the priority. The step of prioritizing the data includes sequencing the data based at least in part on a user defined rule. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for communicating data including a data prioritization component and a data communications component. The data prioritization component is adapted to prioritize data. The data prioritization component includes a sequencing component. The sequencing component is adapted to sequence the data based at least in part on a user defined rule. The data communications component is adapted to communicate the data based at least in part on the priority.

Abstract: A method for high speed interprocess communications comprises four steps. Initially, first and second processes can be attached to a message buffer in a shared region of user memory. In addition, each process can have a corresponding message queue. In a preferred embodiment, the attaching step comprises the step of attaching first and second processes to a message buffer in a shared region of user memory exclusive of operating system kernel space. Second, message data from the first process can be accumulated in a location in the message buffer. Third, a memory offset corresponding to the location in the message buffer can be placed in the message queue of the second process. Finally, the accumulated data at the location corresponding to the offset can be used in the second process. Consequently, the accumulated message data is transferred from the first process to the second process with minimal data transfer overhead.

Abstract: A method for distributing data for one or more controlled devices having defined subsystems which generate data. The method includes the steps of partitioning and labeling the data to establish a set of defined data views, so that each data view contains data for a predetermined set of the subsystems. The data is stored on a server node of a computer network and is subsequently broadcast over the network using multicast techniques. The broadcasted data contains a plurality of the data views from the server which are received by at least one client node via the network. The client node selectively processes a predetermined set of the data in accordance with the data views assigned to the client node and rejects all other data views.