Abstract: This invention provides a bayonet (10) comprising an attachment portion (12) having a first opening (16) for receiving the muzzle of a gun. A second opening is also provided that is aligned with the first opening to allow the passage of a bullet therethrough. An extension portion (14) extends from the attachment portion in the opposite direction of the gun barrel and terminates in a point (24). The attachment portion (12) substantially comprises a polymer and the extension portion (14) has a non ferrous structural core substantially over-moulded with a polymer.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a remote service (104) to a user (102) via a communications network (106) is disclosed. The remote service (104) obtains a service authentication code that has been generated, using a code generation algorithm, based on a first secret key. The service authentication code is communicated to the user (102) via the communications network (106) and received, or entered, into an authentication device (106) associated with the user (102). The authentication device (106) then generates, using the same code generation algorithm, an expected code value based on a second secret key and compares the expected code value to the service authentication code. Responsive to the comparison, and in the event that the expected code value correlates with the service authentication code, the authentication device (106) generates a response that indicates to the user (102) the authenticity of the remote service (104).

Abstract: A mediating server operates to interconnect a number of user devices to network servers. In order to receive customized content from the network servers, the user devices provide device profiles to the network servers via the mediating server within or in addition to requests for content. As the device profiles pass through the mediating server, the mediating server obtains the device profiles and stores the device profiles in a device profiles database. The mediating server may then classify the user devices based on the user profiles using a classification algorithm, which may include one or more classification rules for each of a number of classes. Thereafter, the mediating server may provide one or more services based on the device profiles, the classification of the user devices, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods are provided that include recursively negotiating a boundary between a first virtual space controlled by a first peer and a second virtual space controlled by a second peer in a distributed virtual environment responsive to profile data of the first peer and the second peer. Related systems and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for creating communities based on a semantic understanding of content requested by a number of user devices. More specifically, a mediating server operates to interconnect a number of user devices to destination servers. In operation, the mediating server routes requests from the user devices to the appropriate destination servers. The mediating server examines the responses from the destination servers to gain a semantic understanding of the content requested by the user devices. Thereafter, the mediating server establishes communities for the user devices based on the semantic understanding of the content requested by the user devices. For example, the mediating server may invite users of the user devices that have requested semantically similar content to join a chat session around a common topic.

Abstract: In an embodiment, techniques for sustaining session connections are provided. The techniques send heartbeat messages when not sending a message may cause the session connection to close because of a timeout condition. Heartbeat messages are valid transport layer messages that will be ignored by protocols at higher levels of a data communications stack. As an example, the techniques may send a TCP message containing only a carriage return and line feed (“CRLF”) in its payload. Because the TCP layer considers a message containing only a CRLF to be a valid TCP message, intermediary computing devices such as proxy servers may not interpret heartbeat messages as “keep alive” messages, and may sustain session connections.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing reader and writer threads in a caching proxy server. In general, a caching proxy server operates as an intermediary between a web server and a number of client devices. The clients send requests for digital assets hosted by the web server to the caching proxy server. For each request, or more particularly for each group of concurrent requests, for a particular digital asset, the caching proxy server operates in either a decoupled writer mode of operation or a reader/writer mode operation. In addition, while serving the requests, the proxy server may switch between the decoupled writer and the reader/writer modes of operation depending on one or more criteria.

Abstract: A client playback architecture for a media content distribution system is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the client playback architecture is a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) based architecture. The RDMA based architecture enables the client playback device to obtain media content from a central server in real-time or in substantially real-time as the media content is needed for playback at the client playback device. More specifically, the playback device includes RDMA enabled playback circuitry operating to perform RDMA transfers for select media content, buffer the media content received as a result of the RDMA transfers, and provide the media content for presentation to one or more associated viewers via one or more audio/video interfaces.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a digital medium, such as a Digital Video Disc (DVD), enabling playback of different versions of a media presentation depending on the locality of the viewer, where each version includes embedded advertisements for a corresponding locality. In one embodiment, a DVD stores a media presentation such as, for example, a movie, an episode of a television program, or the like. Depending on the location of the viewer, the DVD provides a version of the media presentation having embedded advertisements relevant to the locality of the viewer.

Abstract: A replaceable shade system and method of using it according to certain embodiments of the invention may include at least one at least one replaceable shade, a permanent shade, and a means for attaching the at least one replaceable shade to the permanent shade. The replaceable shade system may further include an image applied to the at least one replaceable shade.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the weight of plant seed, which comprises preparing a genetically modified plant in which gibberellin content has been manipulated in the seed of the plant.

Abstract: In an embodiment, techniques for sustaining session connections are provided. The techniques send heartbeat messages when not sending a message may cause the session connection to close because of a timeout condition. Heartbeat messages are valid transport layer messages that will be ignored by protocols at higher levels of a data communications stack. As an example, the techniques may send a TCP message containing only a carriage return and line feed (“CRLF”) in its payload. Because the TCP layer considers a message containing only a CRLF to be a valid TCP message, intermediary computing devices such as proxy servers may not interpret heartbeat messages as “keep alive” messages, and may sustain session connections.

Abstract: A multicast query propagation scheme for a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network is provided. A number of first level (L1) peer nodes are associated with a second level (L2) peer node to form an L1 peer group. The L2 peer node operates as a super peer node for the L1 peer group and allocates two Source-Specific Multicast (SSM) channels operating as a control and query channel for the L1 peer group. Similarly, a number of other L1 peer groups are formed. An L2 peer group is formed by a third level (L3) peer node and the L2 peer nodes. The L3 peer node operates as a super peer node for the L3 peer group and allocates two SSM channels operating as a control and query channel for the L2 peer group. Using the control and query channels of the L1 and L2 peer groups, queries are propagated throughout the P2P network.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for managing reader and writer threads in a caching proxy server. In general, a caching proxy server operates as an intermediary between a web server and a number of client devices. The clients send requests for digital assets hosted by the web server to the caching proxy server. For each request, or more particularly for each group of concurrent requests, for a particular digital asset, the caching proxy server operates in either a decoupled writer mode of operation or a reader/writer mode operation. In addition, while serving the requests, the proxy server may switch between the decoupled writer and the reader/writer modes of operation depending on one or more criteria.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for searching social networks. A device is encountered that sends a query. The query comprises a search packet. A content search is performed according to a query parameter described by the search packet. The content search is then repeatedly performed according to a duration parameter described by the search packet.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for searching social networks. A device is encountered that sends a query. The query comprises a search packet. A content search is performed according to a query parameter described by the search packet. The content search is then repeatedly performed according to a duration parameter described by the search packet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a virtual peer for a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. In general, the virtual peer is a logical construct enabling a number of virtual peer members to appear as a single peer node in the P2P network. In operation, a sponsoring agent creates and registers a virtual peer including a number of virtual peer members with the P2P network. Once registered, the virtual peer appears as a new peer node in the P2P network, wherein the sponsoring agent operates as the communication end-point for the virtual peer in the P2P network. Thereafter, when the sponsoring agent receives an incoming message on behalf of the virtual peer, the sponsoring agent sends the incoming message to one or more of the virtual peer members.

Abstract: A system and associated method permit remote monitoring of subsurface structure for purposes of early detection and location of hidden anomalies, e.g., water seepage in levees. Anomalies may be due to sand boils or displacement of underlying soil. Representative systems provide continuous monitoring via two complementary means: parallel pairs of ported (leaky) coaxial cables and a fiber optic cable, each pair of coaxial cables associated with a fiber optic cable. A fiber optic system, with associated light source, processor and display, together with an RF system, provides data to a remote location via telemetry or cellular phone, or both. The fiber optic cable(s) allow monitoring of displacement and vibrations within the structure. The ported coaxial cables, with associated RF source, using the same processor, display and telemetry used with the fiber optic sub-system, provide data for monitoring moisture change correlated to changes in the dielectric constant of surrounding material.

Abstract: A communication system for producing electronic business information reports comprising: a communication network, a website module, a product fabrication module, a computer system for communicating with and controlling the operation of the group of modules via the network, means for accessing the computer system thereby to enable communication and control of the modules by a user, and means for providing just-in-time business information reports wherein a request therefor is transmitted through the website to the product fabrication module.