Abstract: Two or more participants provide inputs from a remote location to a central server, which aggregates the inputs to animate participating avatars in a space visible to the remote participants. In parallel, the server collects and distributes text chat data from and to each participant, such as in a chat window, to provide chat capability in parallel to a multi-participant animation. Avatars in the animation may be provided with animation sequences, based on defined character strings or other data detected in the text chat data. Text data provided by each user is used to select animation sequences for an avatar operated by the same user.

Abstract: A method for managing a multi-user animation platform is disclosed. A three-dimensional space within a computer memory is modeled. An avatar of a client is located within the three-dimensional space, the avatar being graphically represented by a three-dimensional figure within the three-dimensional space. The avatar is responsive to client input commands, and the three-dimensional figure includes a graphical representation of client activity. The client input commands are monitored to determine client activity. The graphical representation of client activity is then altered according to an inactivity scheme when client input commands are not detected. Following a predetermined period of client inactivity, the inactivity scheme varies non-repetitively with time.

Abstract: A multi-user animation process receives input from multiple remote clients to manipulate avatars through a modeled 3-D environment. Each user is represented by an avatar. The 3-D environment and avatar position/location data is provided to client workstations, which display a simulated environment visible to all participants. A text or speech-based bulletin board application is coupled to the animation process. The bulletin board application receives text or speech input from the multiple remote users and publishes the input in a public forum. The bulletin board application maintains multiple forums organized by topic. Access or participation to particular forums is coordinated with the animation process, such that each user may be permitted access to a forum only when the user's avatar is located within a designated room or region of the modeled 3-D environment.

Abstract: A method and system for organizing and displaying information about Internet Web pages on Web maps are disclosed. Web maps display a summary of the information that a Web page provides access to, in a format that facilitates a rapid assessment of what may be accessed through a Web site's home page, or through any Web page on the Web site. Preferably, Web maps are displayed on a Web page, or within a frame of a Web page, by an Internet browser application. A set of Web maps may be automatically generated by a search engine or directory in response to a user's search request. Alternatively, a user may request that a Web map be produced for a particular Web page of interest. The Web maps are preferably generated by a Web server, or by an application running in the background of a user's computer, so that the user may perform other tasks on the user's computer while the Web maps are being generated.

Abstract: A mail delivery system and method for delivery of mail to addressees are disclosed. The system is particularly suitable for implementation in the context of an email or similar electronic messaging system, and is particularly useful for managing and/or discouraging unsolicited junk mail. The system comprises a plurality of unique delivery addresses, each for a corresponding addressee, and a plurality of delivery codes. The delivery codes are generally defined or otherwise controlled by the addressees, with each addressee controlling a specific subset of the delivery codes. Any given delivery code does not comprise a unique delivery address or any essential portion thereof, and instead comprises distinct, essentially arbitrary addressee-controlled information. The method comprises addressing a selected piece of the mail with a selected delivery address, and associating a selected delivery code with the selected delivery address of the piece of mail.

Abstract: In a multi-participant modeled virtual reality environment, avatars are modeled beings that include moveable eyes creating the impression of an apparent gaze direction. Control of eye movement may be performed autonomously using software to select and prioritize targets in a visual field. Sequence and duration of apparent gaze may then be controlled using automatically determined priorities. Optionally, user preferences for object characteristics may be factored into determining priority of apparent gaze. Resulting modeled avatars are rendered on client displays to provide more lifelike and interesting avatar depictions with shifting gaze directions.

Abstract: A mail delivery system and method utilize unique delivery addresses, each for a corresponding addressee, and addressee-controlled delivery codes. Each delivery code is embedded in a message address but is distinct from the unique root delivery address for the addressee. Mail that bears an address that includes an embedded valid delivery code is delivered and optionally sorted according to the code. Mail that lacks an embedded delivery code is segregated as lacking a valid code. Addressees of the system may define any number of delivery codes and may invalidate delivery codes as desired.

Abstract: An orthopedic pillow is a monolithic foam structure. Spaced apart depressed top and bottom surfaces are continuous with, and are extensive between the side surfaces. The top and bottom surfaces are each formed as a plurality of side-by-side longitudinal ribs parallel with the long side surfaces. Each one of the ribs protrudes outwardly from the apparatus and is a major portion of a semi-circle in shape. The physical conformation of the apparatus is such, that with the long side surfaces resting on a mattress, the tips of the ribs are initially spaced apart from the mattress, and with a head's weight resting on the top surface, the ribs of the top surface are compressed, and the ribs of the bottom surface are urged toward the mattress providing compressive resistance proportional to the compressive force.

Abstract: A mobile internet page computer system for generating mobile internet pages for viewing by mobile communication devices preferably configured for each device, the system comprising a memory, a processor, an input for receiving a request for one or more mobile internet pages from mobile telephones, a plurality of data chunks stored in the memory each data chunk corresponding to a specific purpose/function, page generation means for compiling a mobile internet page from data chunks stored in the memory, chunk selection means for selecting chunks in the memory that correspond to a page request, for enabling the page generation means to compile a page corresponding to the request, chunk adaptation means to adapt data chunks, a database stored in the memory comprising data relating to a plurality of mobile communication devices of different configurations and information on adaptations to be made to data chunks corresponding to the different configurations, wherein the computer system is configured so that on rece

Abstract: Duplicate hands are dealt in a remote game of poker or other card game of chance. Simulated cards or game pieces are dealt to players with the order of suits changed for each player. A map is maintained in a computer memory between a reference set of indices corresponding to card suits, and differently-ordered sets of playing suits for dealing in the game. A reference game is maintained at a server computer to track game status according to the reference set of indices. Game play is translated between the reference game and individual playing suits so that players are unaware of the order of suits used for other players.

Abstract: A computer system is used to host a virtual reality universe process in which multiple avatars are independently controlled in response to client input. The host provides coordinated motion information for defining coordinated movement between designated portions of multiple avatars, and an application responsive to detect conditions triggering a coordinated movement sequence between two or more avatars. During coordinated movement, user commands for controlling avatar movement may be in part used normally and in part ignored or otherwise processed to cause the involved avatars to respond in part to respective client input and in part to predefined coordinated movement information. Thus, users may be assisted with executing coordinated movement between multiple avatars.

Abstract: A multi-user process receives input from multiple remote clients to manipulate avatars through a virtual environment modeled in a host memory. The environment includes portal objects operable to transport avatars, which are modeled objects operated in response to client input, between defined areas of the virtual environment. The portals are customizable in response to client input to transport avatars to destinations preferred by users. Adjacent defined areas are not confined in extent by shared boundaries. The host provides model data for display of the modeled environment to participating clients.

Abstract: A system for correlating and displaying dissimilar communication protocols is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises user communication information that spans at least two dissimilar communication networks, a first communication protocol associated with a first communication network, a second communication protocol associated with a second communication network, and a software code segment configured to detect a first call identifier associated with the first communication protocol, the software code segment also configured to detect a second call identifier associated with the second communication protocol, where the first call identifier and the second call identifier are correlated to a particular call. The system displays the correlated call identifiers to a user in a real-time call flow record.

Abstract: Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a method, apparatus and system for directing an on-line user to predetermined information. Preferred embodiments of the instant invention interface with the user's browser to utilize the functions of the browser for directing user “traffic” on a network. In preferred embodiments, when a user accesses a web site page, a traffic control program is executed for the page, wherein the traffic control program controls the transmission (downloading) of data to the user computer and further creates a modified set of rules for at least one of the browser functions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for tracking link mobility between two mobile nodes. Each node estimates a link mobility state of a link between itself and each of its neighbor nodes, accumulates successively the link mobility states, estimates link mobility parameters using the successively estimated link mobility states, and predicts a link availability probability using the link mobility parameters. The link mobility tracking can be applied to various routing protocols so as to implement mobility aware routing which enhance the routing performance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cellular network handoff decision mechanism which comprising the steps of: determining a sampling interval using a carrier wavelength; determining a local averaging interval that is larger than the sampling interval; determining a handoff decision interval that is larger than the local averaging interval; selecting at least two base stations from a multitude of base stations having a pilot signal from a reference cellular network using a selection criterion; determining a received signal strength from the pilot signal strength for each of the selected base stations once during every sampling interval; calculating a local average signal strength value using each of the received signal strengths once during every local averaging interval; determining an assignment region in which the local average signal strength value lies using a hysteresis range; and calculating a handoff decision once during every handoff decision interval using a handoff calculation.

Abstract: A method for conducting Internet domain name service to users connected to the Internet comprises an automated procedure for transferring Internet domain name service from a domain name owner to a domain name manager. This method further comprises Internet sub-domain name services to prospective buyers based on domain names transferred to the domain name manager. Messages requesting domain name service, including requests from domain name owners to sub-license their particular domain name to prospective sub-domain name buyers and from prospective sub-domain name buyers to license available sub-domain names, are received and responded to by an automated domain name management system. This automated domain name management system further comprises an interactive website which includes a database, search engine, and Web server.

Abstract: An ad-hoc network and routing method that takes account of mobility are provided. The ad-hoc network includes at least one node, which calculates a probability that a neighbor node is present in a transmission range of the node, generates a message containing the calculated probability, and transmits the message to the neighbor node. The at least one node may also update the message with a lower probability of the calculated probability and a probability contained in the message, and transmit the updated message to the neighbor node. The node may also determine as a route a path along which a message is transmitted from the message containing the highest probability among probabilities contained in messages that are received.

Abstract: A wood treatment composition having a synergistic combination of fungicides which may include two or more compounds. These combinations are shown to be especially effective in providing resistance to decay, mold and mildew when wood is treated with these combinations. Also provided is wood treated by these combinations, and a method of treatment for composite wood.

Abstract: An adjustable link assembly includes a pair of coupling yokes, each having a threaded rod projecting therefrom. First and second lock members projecting from the corresponding first and second yokes. The first and second yokes are threadably coupled to opposite ends of a threaded central body. The body has a central non-cylindrical adjusting portion located between first and second indexing portions. A bracket is slidable over the body. The bracket is rotatable with respect to the body when the bracket is positioned over the indexing portions and being non-rotatably coupled to the body when the bracket is positioned over the central adjusting portion. A lever is pivotally coupled to the bracket so that an end of the lever may be coupled to either of the lock members to prevent rotation of the central body relative to the yokes.