Abstract: A method and system for providing and dynamically managing the size of a storage space containing data structures depending on a current network load. The present invention expands the size of a storage space when the amount of data therein is large, thereby reducing the time spent searching for values within the data structure. When the amount of data within the storage space is small, the present invention contracts the size of the storage space to reduce the memory needed to maintain the storage space. In this manner, the present invention dynamically adjusts the size of the storage space in response to changing network loads to ensure that network performance remains optimized.

Abstract: A system in which a DHCP server executes a recovery routine after detecting a corrupted IP address state database. The routine determines whether an IP address is assigned to a DHCP client by querying an IP address/port reserved for DHCP clients. If the response suggests the absence of a DHCP client, the address is marked as BAD. If the response suggests the presence of a DHCP client, the IP database is updated appropriately. The query may comprise sending a TCP/IP packet to the IP address and port and monitoring for an ICMP error message. In another embodiment requiring a protocol extension, the DHCP server issues a DHCP supported query to each IP address that responds to a ping command. The DHCP clients supporting this protocol extension will respond to the query by returning all of the DHCP configuration information that was acquired before the IP address state database crashed.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of identifying a vehicle that may present safety threats to security areas are provided. The apparatus, system and method determine whether a vehicle is a suspect vehicle by comparing an identification (ID) obtained from the vehicle with a list of IDs when the vehicle approaches a security zone of the security area. If there is a match, the vehicle is a suspect vehicle and may present a safety threat to the security area. At that point, the vehicle is not allowed to proceed. If the vehicle is a land-based vehicle, the vehicle may be allowed to proceed after it has been thoroughly searched. If the vehicle attempts to proceed before being allowed to do so, a signal is sent a computer system on board the vehicle (OBCS) to stop the vehicle from proceeding. In the case where the vehicle is not a land-based vehicle, the signal may instruct the OBCS to veer the vehicle off its course.

Abstract: Search results for linked sources of information are associated with one or more predefined symbols or icons that indicate characteristics of the linked sites' contents. Site content ratings services and databases are co-opted to obtain additional site characteristic opinion, review results, and indicators. A search engine creates a set of characteristic factors associated with its index of web sites, and when providing a site reference as a result of a search operation, includes icons and symbols to indicate the characteristics to a user. Further sorting, filtering and searching according to the user's preferences may be performed.

Abstract: A system and method for gathering data regarding receivers of multicast content is provided. A spanning tree is used to connect a content producer, such as a pay-per-view broadcaster, to one or more receivers over a computer network, such as the Internet. Clients that wish to join a multicast group to which content is sent join the multicast group at the client's designated multicast router. The router sends information regarding the request, such as a tally of the number of clients that have joined the group, through intermediate routers to an endpoint router as identified by the spanning tree. The content producer is able to use the information, such as the tally and demographic information, to analyze the group of receivers. In a pay-per-view setting, the tally can further be compared to the number of subscribers to determine whether illicit receivers have joined the group, whereupon appropriate action is taken.

Abstract: A system and method for securely delivering data content to devices across a computer network, such as the Internet, is provided. A secure channel (i.e., using Secure Socket Layers or other encryption technology) is used to provide details regarding a non-secure channel. The details may include a multicast group identifier if multicast broadcasting is used or a port identifier if a number of ports are used. The legitimate clients receive the details and listen for packets corresponding to the multicast group or port number. The details change periodically or in response to the detection of illicit receivers. Details regarding subsequent non-secure channel details are provided on the secure channel so that legitimate clients are able to continue receiving data packets, while illicit receivers are unable to continue receiving the data stream without interruption.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for processing a user input. A user input selecting an image on a page is detected. The image selected by the user input is sent to a server to perform a search in response to detecting the user input. The server performs object recognition analysis on the image to generate a text description of the image. Alternatively, the server may perform an image search for resources with similar images or properties. This text description, which may include one or more words, is used as the basis of the search. A result of the search is received in response to sending the image to the server to form a received result. The received result is displayed. Further, other contextual information associated with the image may be used in addition to or in place of the image in generating the search.

Abstract: A vending machine is disclosed that has one or more compartments with a mechanism for dispensing a content of a compartment upon receipt of a payment. A receptacle can accept an item, from a member of the public, as content into an empty compartment and identify the item accepted, such as with a barcode label. The vending machine can also include a mechanism that will connect it over a network, such as the Internet, to a computing device. An appraised value of the identified item can be received over the communication network and displayed in association with the compartment containing the item. The item can be dispensed from the vending machine in response to receiving predetermined sales amount or upon specific instruction from an authorized individual. A searchable database of information relating to buyers, sellers, items and other sales related information can also be associated with the vending machine.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for reassembling fragmented datagrams is described. A plurality of fragments of a plurality of datagrams are received by a recipient data processing system. In response to receipt of the plurality of fragments, a plurality of processes concurrently access a reassembly data structure to store the plurality of fragments, such that the plurality of datagrams are incrementally reassembled from the plurality of fragments. In one embodiment, the reassembly data structure can be implemented as a list containing a plurality of reassembly queues that each contain one or more queue entries for reassembling a respective datagram. Data integrity of the reassembly data structure can be maintained by associating a respective one of a plurality of locks with each of the plurality of reassembly queues so that only one process at a time can access each reassembly queue.

Abstract: A system and method for forwarding URL's to one or more recipients using a Wireless Access Protocol (WAP) network is provided. A mobile user views web pages on his WAP enabled wireless device, such as a mobile telephone or PDA. When the mobile user locates a web page that he prefers to view later or wants to send to another user, the mobile user invokes redirect software which composes a redirect request that includes one or more redirect entries. Each redirect entry corresponds to a redirect address and a URL. When the user finishes with selecting one or more redirect addresses, the mobile device sends the redirect request to a WAP gateway. The WAP gateway receives the redirect requests and forwards the redirect entries to the corresponding redirect addresses over a computer network, such as the Internet.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a system and method for enhancing system privacy and security identification of electronic devices and computer systems. In general, in one embodiment, the present invention issues user configurable unique identification numbers (IDs) with collision free mapping for electronic and computer devices. The originally issued IDs are generated with sufficient distance between each other to ensure collision free generation when users later transform the original IDs into new respective unique IDs.

Abstract: A method for calculating and displaying the cost of downloading web content, including downloading to a browser a first web page, the first web page including at least one hyperlink anchor element, in which the hyperlink anchor element includes a URI identifying a second web page, the hyperlink anchor element includes text including a hyperlink anchor. Typical embodiments include determining a download cost for the second web page and displaying the cumulative download cost for the second web page, taking into account bandwidth cost, usage cost, and any user credits.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for dynamically updating dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) options are provided. A configuration file containing the options is stored in a DHCP server. The configuration file contains a sub-routine that periodically updates the options automatically. One of the options may be a router that client systems on the network are to use when transacting data. Another one of the options may be a domain name server that the client systems are to consult when converting domain name into IP addresses. In any event, each time the options are updated a different router and/or domain name server is used.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a multicasting system and method of a network for providing personalized content to remote users of the network having different bandwidths. The personalized content includes Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) content. In general, the present invention allows the user to communicate within a network utilizing a multicast design. The host establishes group membership for the multicast group and then establishes an individualized set of broadcast criteria. This is accomplished by another process that registers streams of interest for the host. Should any member of the group broadcast data, the group system disseminates the data into discrete segments. The system then refers to the stream of interest register to determine which segments of the broadcast will be sent to which hosts in the network.

Abstract: A system, method and program of the invention enables bartering to be carried out over a network of computer systems. A specific bartering protocol language enables a specification of a needs list of needed items that a user desires to acquire and a specification of an availability list of available items that a user desires to use in trading for one or more of the needed items. Each needed item can be associated with a priority indicating a level of priority that a user has in acquiring the needed item. The needs list may also contain a range of near equivalent items having an associated priority indicating a user's desire to accept a given near equivalent item in lieu of a given needed item. The system performs a search of available items for a match with each of the needed items based upon the needed item's priority wherein the higher priority items are attempted to be matched before lower priority items are matched.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for improving network performance of a multiprocessor system that has a limited number of physical network interfaces by using virtual IP addresses are provided. When a processor of the multiprocessor system determines that it is processing network data, it uses a virtual IP address to transmit the data. The virtual IP address is associated with a buffer; and thus the data is sent to the buffer. This allows the processor to be free to process other data, network or otherwise. The buffer, with the help of a controller, then contends for the use of one of the limited physical network interfaces to transmit the data.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for allowing a single network adapter to be used by a plurality of partitions of a logically partitioned computer system (LPAR) are provided. Each partition assigns a different IP address to the network adapater. The different IP addresses are stored in a table. The table cross-references each IP address with its partition. When a piece of data is received by the computer system, the data is examined to find out the IP address associated with the data. Once done, the table is consulted to determine to which one of the plurality of partitions the data is to be forwarded. The data is then forwarded to the partition.

Abstract: A method and computer program for resetting the value of a coupon based on market information is provided. The program receives a request for valuation of a coupon from a retailer, accesses market demand information for a product corresponding to the coupon, determines a market demand value based on the market demand information, determines a coupon value based on the market demand value, and provides the coupon value to the retailer.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for performing network protocol simulation using XML document are provided. Network data packets are used to generate an XML document. After analyzing the document, parts of the document are then changed to simulate changes to the data packets.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for generating an XML schema are provided. To generate the schema, transition states of the packets have to first be identified. Then, based on the transition states to investigate, the schema may be generated. The schema contains all the rules and definitions needed for validating an XML document.