Abstract: An improved information retention management mechanism is disclosed wherein an information set may be purged from an information system without having to delete the information set from the system. Whenever an information set enters an information system, a key is associated with the information set. The information set is encrypted using the associated key, and the encrypted form of the information set is stored in the information system. The unencrypted form of the information set is not stored. To render the information set to a user, the encrypted form of the information set is accessed along with the associated key, and then decrypted using the associated key to derive the original information set. Once derived, the information set is rendered to the user. So long as the associated key remains in the system, this process may be carried out to render the information set to a user. At some point, in accordance with an information retention policy, the information set is selected for purging.

Abstract: Methods, data structures and apparatus suitable for configuration and management of dynamic networks is disclosed. A dynamic network manager that can facilitate automatic configuration of a new device on the computer network is disclosed. The dynamic network manager can detect the presence of a new device by monitoring the transmitted information on the computer network. When the presence of a new device is detected, the dynamic network manager can use the address associated with the new device to lookup device related information such as device drivers. Device drivers can be installed by the dynamic network manager to configure the new device on the computer network without requiring significant human resources.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the present invention provide an automated manager for an electronic mail archive repository. A method of archiving electronic messages consistent with the present invention creates a repository that holds all electronic messages consistent with a set of rules for archive storage. An interface allows clients to retrieve electronic messages from the repository based upon rules limiting access to the repository. Methods and systems, as broadly described herein, comprise a message archive containing a plurality of messages, each having a client identifier and an archive token, and permit a requester access to select messages in the message archive based on an identifier for the requester and consistent with rules for archive retrieval.

Abstract: The present invention requires a computing device to interact with an authorized host computer on a fairly regular basis in order to maintain operability. In one embodiment, there is stored within the computing device an authorization parameter. This parameter is checked upon the occurrence of certain events to determine whether it has expired. If the authorization parameter has expired, then the present invention renders the computing device inoperable. The only way to update this parameter, and hence to maintain operability, is for the computing device to interact with an authorized host computer. Unless a thief knows which host computer to contact, and how to properly interact with that host computer (both of which are unlikely), the authorization parameter of a stolen device will not be updated. As a result, the stolen device will become inoperable within a relatively short time after the theft.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the present invention provide an automated manager for an electronic mail archive repository. A method of archiving electronic messages consistent with the present invention creates a repository that holds all electronic messages consistent with a set of rules for archive storage. An interface allows clients to retrieve electronic messages from the repository based upon rules limiting access to the repository. Methods and systems, as broadly described herein, comprise a message archive containing a plurality of messages, each having a client identifier and an archive token, and permit a requester access to select messages in the message archive based on an identifier for the requester and consistent with rules for archive retrieval.

Abstract: During peak usage times in a communications system, a communications control system and a billing system are required to handle a very large volume of communications from a large number of communications devices. Due to the large s volume, the control system and billing system are often overburdened, causing them to not record each and every communication. As a result, some of the communications conducted during peak times are not recorded and hence are not billed to customers, thereby causing a loss in potential revenue. The present invention provides a solution to this problem. Namely, each communications device is adapted to maintain a log of the communications conducted using that communications device. This log information is communicated to the control system at some later time (probably during an off-peak period) to enable the control system to retroactively update the billing system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for automatically determining the behavior of a communications device based upon the likelihood that a user is within relatively close proximity to the communications device. The apparatus comprises one or more sensors, one or more behavioral mechanisms, and a behavior determining mechanism. The sensors (which may, for example, be mechanical, audio, heat, or motion sensors) provide indications as to the likelihood that a user is within relatively close proximity to the communications device. These indications are received by the behavior determining mechanism, and in response, the behavior determining mechanism determines, based upon the indications, one or more appropriate behaviors for the apparatus. The behavior determining mechanism then causes one or more of the behavioral mechanisms to carry out the appropriate behaviors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for locating buried objects prior to digging at a current location. According to the invention, a positioning device is taken to the location where digging is to take place. The positioning device receives positioning signals from one or more positioning stations, and based upon the positioning signals, determines the current location of the positioning device and hence the location of the dig site. Once the current location is determined, a registry database containing the locations of previously buried objects is accessed. The registry database is queried for all locations within a selected distance of the current location which have buried objects. If this query returns no records, then it is probably safe to dig at the current location. On the other hand, if the query returns one or more locations, then further digging at the current location should either be avoided or performed with great caution.