Abstract: A method is provided to authorize an online transaction between a purchaser and a merchant. The method includes providing, via an identity provider, verification of an identity of the purchaser. The method also includes providing, via a payment provider, verification of an ability of the purchaser to pay for the transaction, where the identity provider and the payment provider are different network entities. A computer system is also provided that can conduct an online transaction between a purchaser and a merchant providing one or more goods and/or services. The computer system includes a first node configured to provide verification of an identity of the purchaser, and a second node configured to provide verification of an ability of the purchaser to pay for the transaction, where the first node and the second node are associated with different network entities.

Abstract: Text messaging between cell phones, computer applications, and/or other communication devices has become a common means of communication. Because of the prevalence of text messaging, robust text message processing may be facilitated through text messaging pipelines. Accordingly, as provided herein, a text messaging pipeline may be configured according to a pipeline module list. The pipeline module list may be constructed through an online service wherein predefined pipeline modules and/or user defined pipeline modules may be selected to create the pipeline module list. The configured text messaging pipeline may provide customized text message processing. For example, a user may select a spam filter, a translator, and/or other pipeline modules to configure a text messaging pipeline. Text message workflow (e.g., SMS messages that are sent and/or received by a computer application associated with the text messaging pipeline) may be processed through the text messaging pipeline.

Abstract: Technology for enabling subscribers to reduce their messaging costs is described. The technology includes employing multiple messaging data messaging services and employing advertisement-based defrayal of messaging charges. A message may be entered or displayed as an SMS message even though a data communications service other than SMS is used to exchange the message between computing devices. When a sender of a message sends an SMS message, the sender may receive an advertisement from an advertiser who defrays the cost of sending the SMS message. The advertiser may also defray the receiving cost for a receiver of the SMS message.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer communication system that transmits application data from an application component on one network peer to an application component on another network peer. A programming interface is provided to the communication system to facilitate programming of applications that rely on peer-to-peer communications. The communication system uses messaging providers to which each peer may be connected for purposes other than communications between peer-to-peer application components, thereby reducing the resources a peer-to-peer application requires for communication and making the system advantageous for use in portable electronic devices. Additionally, the communication system uses addresses already assigned in each messaging provider, allowing peer-to-peer communication between peers that may otherwise have been non-addressable.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for switching Fiber Channel Arbitrated Loop Systems is provided between a plurality of Fiber Channel Loop devices. In one aspect of the invention, the system switches based at least in part on arbitrated loop primitives. An exemplary interconnect system may include a first port and a second port, both including port logic to monitor certain arbitrated loop primitives, a connectivity apparatus, a route determination apparatus including a routing table consisting of ALPA addresses and their associated ports, the route determination apparatus coupled to each port and the connectivity apparatus, where the connectivity apparatus creates paths between the ports based on arbitrated loop primitives. In one embodiment, the connectivity apparatus is a crossbar switch. Examples of the arbitrated loop primitives that cause the switch to create paths between ports includes one or more of the following: ARB, OPN and CLS.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for switching Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop Systems is provided between a plurality of Fibre Channel Loop devices. In one aspect of the invention, the system switches based at least in part on arbitrated loop primitives. An exemplary interconnect system may include a first port and a second port, both including port logic to monitor certain arbitrated loop primitives, a connectivity apparatus, a route determination apparatus including a routing table consisting of ALPA addresses and their associated ports, the route determination apparatus coupled to each port and the connectivity apparatus, where the connectivity apparatus creates paths between the ports based on arbitrated loop primitives. In one embodiment, the connectivity apparatus is a crossbar switch. Examples of the arbitrated loop primitives that cause the switch to create paths between ports includes one or more of the following: ARB, OPN and CLS.

Abstract: A travel management system. In one implementation, a state-based desktop client provides a travel planning and management workspace for the user. The user may perform travel planning activities, and log out of the travel workspace without having to repeat travel planning tasks. In another implementation, travel planning tasks may be stored as data feeds that keep up-to-date fare and availability data even when the user is not logged into the travel workspace.

Abstract: A method for generating an expense report, comprising: receiving an itinerary for travel, generating a description and a cost for one or more travel elements of the itinerary; and generating projected expenses that are expected to be incurred based on historical data associated with the itinerary

Abstract: A dispute resolution system for requesting a service provider to provide services so that the service provider can demonstrate to a service intermediary that a service consumer requested services. A service consumer that wants to start requesting services of the service provider registers with the service intermediary an end code of a sequence of code generated using a one-way function. The service intermediary provides the end code to the service provider. The service consumer can then using codes of the sequence requests the service provider to provide services. When the service provider receives a request, it verifies that the code of the request can be used to derive the end code. If the verification is successful, then the service provider can provide the verified code to the service intermediary as non-repudiatable evidence of the services requested by the service consumer.

Abstract: Notifications are generated in managed and native environments and propagated to an interfacing abstraction layer of native code there between. The abstraction layer assesses each received notification to determine whether the notification, or a previously received collection thereof, should be transitioned across a boundary between the managed environment and the native environment. The managed environment includes a virtual machine in a managed code portion. The native environment includes an operating system that interfaces the abstraction layer which is at a boundary between the managed code portion and the operating system. A collection of notifications are those that have been batched and/or synthesized. The abstraction layer is configured with predetermined criteria to assess whether to form a collection of received notifications and/or to prevent a transition of a notification, or collection thereof, across the boundary.

Abstract: Systems and methods for metering execution of code at runtime are described. According to one implementation, a call is received requesting execution of a protected service. In response, permission is requested for the execution. The request for permission is analyzed. A grant of permission is based on the analysis.

Abstract: Methods and associated hub arrangements are described for use in diagnosis and recovery in high performance digital loops such as, for example, those seen in Fibre Channel systems. In one system having a hub configured for interconnection of a plurality of stations as part of a digital system such that digital data flows between the stations based on operational status of the system, an arrangement forms part of the hub which arrangement is connectable at points within the hub and between at least two different pairs of the stations for monitoring certain characteristics of the data in a way which provides for non-invasive identification of one or more conditions related to the operational status of the system.

Abstract: A developer can provide complex services to existing legacy applications using one or more components configured to tap into a service abstraction framework. In one implementation, for example, a developer of a remote service provider adds one or more authentication attributes to the remote service provider, and further creates a local client driver that incorporates a client proxy. When a legacy application generates a function request (e.g., to print, send a text message, initiate a voice communication), the client proxy intercepts the request through an appropriate communication subsystem, and relays the request to the server proxy. The server proxy determines the extent to which authentication measures may be required. If required, the client proxy can initiate out-of-band processing with various authentication managers to validate/process the request at the remote service provider.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for switching Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop Systems is provided between a plurality of Fibre Channel Loop devices. In one aspect of the invention, the system switches based at least in part on arbitrated loop primitives. An exemplary interconnect system may include a first port and a second port, both including port logic to monitor certain arbitrated loop primitives, a connectivity apparatus, a route determination apparatus including a routing table consisting of ALPA addresses and their associated ports, the route determination apparatus coupled to each port and the connectivity apparatus, where the connectivity apparatus creates paths between the ports based on arbitrated loop primitives. In one embodiment, the connectivity apparatus is a crossbar switch. Examples of the arbitrated loop primitives that cause the switch to create paths between ports includes one or more of the following: ARB, OPN and CLS.

Abstract: Relatively-temporary applications may be installed. As a result of the installation and/or execution of such an application, an associated application isolated storage unit may be established. When established, the application isolated storage unit is designated for private storage use by the associated application. Additionally, a linkage between the application isolated storage unit and the associated application is created. Upon initiation of a reclamation procedure, the linkage from the application isolated storage unit is traced to the indicated location of the associated application. If the associated application no longer exists, the application isolated storage unit is deleted so as to reclaim the memory space.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for determining the responsiveness of cancer to an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) treatment. In a preferred embodiment, the presence of at least one variance in the kinase domain of the erbB1 gene confers sensitivity to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib. Thus, a diagnostic assay for these mutations will allow for the administration of gefitinib, erlotinib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors to those patients most likely to respond to the drug.

Abstract: One aspect relates to a process and associated apparatus that implements a user interface (UI) control within a computer environment. The computer environment includes a managed code portion and a native code portion. The implementing the UI control includes creating a plurality of control node data structures within the managed code portion. A managed UI control is virtualized within the managed code portion by associating and/or batching at least two of the control node data structures. The UI control is realized in the native code portion by migrating the managed UI control into the native code portion. In certain aspects, the UI control is populated and parented prior to the realizing.

Abstract: Methods and associated hub arrangements are described for use in diagnosis and recovery in high performance digital loops such as, for example, those seen in Fiber Channel systems. In one system having a hub configured for interconnection of a plurality of stations as part of a digital system such that digital data flows between the stations based on operational status of the system, an arrangement forms part of the hub which arrangement is connectable at points within the hub and between at least two different pairs of the stations for monitoring certain characteristics of the data in a way which provides for non-invasive identification of one or more conditions related to the operational status of the system.

Abstract: Methods and associated hub arrangements are described for use in diagnosis and recovery in high performance digital loops such as, for example, those seen in Fiber Channel systems. In one system having a hub configured for interconnection of a plurality of stations as part of a digital system such that digital data flows between the stations based on operational status of the system, an arrangement forms part of the hub which arrangement is connectable at points within the hub and between at least two different pairs of the stations for monitoring certain characteristics of the data in a way which provides for non-invasive identification of one or more conditions related to the operational status of the system.

Abstract: Methods and associated hub arrangements are described for use in diagnosis and recovery in high performance digital loops such as, for example, those seen in Fiber Channel systems. In one system having a hub configured for interconnection of a plurality of stations as part of a digital system such that digital data flows between the stations based on operational status of the system, an arrangement forms part of the hub which arrangement is connectable at points within the hub and between at least two different pairs of the stations for, monitoring certain characteristics of the data in a way which provides for non-invasive identification of one or more conditions related to the operational status of the system.