Abstract: An automated traffic control system provides real time alternative traffic flow solutions to address traffic congestion on a roadway. A process will pick routes to scan for real-time statistics on the traffic conditions and calculate an average vehicle speed (AVS) for that route, road, highway, etc. If the AVS drops below a historical threshold, a decision matrix is created, whereby all the real-time data is compared with historical data and provides an ideal or best alternative route for “route X”. The operator is provided this information within seconds and is allowed to make a decision to “accept or decline” the proposed changes in routes. If the proposed changes are accepted, the changes begin to occur automatically such as but not limited to updating electronic signage, changing traffic control signals (all green to keep traffic moving), moving electronic barriers, etc.

Abstract: A system, computer program product and method of preventing recordation of true keyboard acoustic emanations are provided. In an embodiment, it is determined whether a user has stricken a key on a keyboard. In response to the stricken key a keystroke sound from a mask which is dissimilar to a keystroke sound produced by the stricken key is emitted to drown out the keystroke sound of the stricken key. In another embodiment, when a plurality of keys is stricken, a random keystroke sound is emitted between keystroke sounds made by two stricken keys to blur out word boundaries.

Abstract: An automated traffic control system provides real time alternative traffic flow solutions to address traffic congestion on a roadway. A process will pick routes to scan for real-time statistics on the traffic conditions and calculate an average vehicle speed (AVS) for that route, road, highway, etc. If the AVS drops below a historical threshold, a decision matrix is created, whereby all the real-time data is compared with historical data and provides an ideal or best alternative route for “route X”. The operator is provided this information within seconds and is allowed to make a decision to “accept pr decline” the proposed changes in routes. If the proposed changes are accepted, the changes begin to occur automatically such as but not limited to updating electronic signage, changing traffic control signals (all green to keep traffic moving), moving electronic barriers, etc.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing a library in a data processing system that supports file compression. Functions in the library that are unrequired on the data processing system are identified to form a set of identified functions. Existing data for the set of identified functions in the library is overwritten with new data that is more compressible than the code, wherein compression of the library by the data processing system results in a library with a smaller size.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for determining validity of and updating a microcode image. Responsive to initiation of an update process, a first validity indicator is checked to determine whether a first microcode image in the memory is valid. In response to the first microcode image being valid, a second validity indicator is set indies, to indicate that a second microcode image is invalid, and the update process is allowed to update the second microcode image to form an updated microcode image. A determination is made as to whether the updated microcode image is valid. The second validity indicator is set to indicate that the updated microcode is valid if the updated image is valid. The second validity indicator is checked during booting of a data processing system. If the second validity indicator is valid, the updated microcode will be loaded.

Abstract: A monitoring process for defining and detecting user-switch violations and issues in a UNIX-based computer system periodically alerts system administrators of potential security risks. The monitoring process is executed at predetermined schedules, or invoked by manual command. A set of rules is defined by the system administrator, and any user-switch instances found in the UNIX user-switch log which match any rule are flagged as violations or potential security issues, and an alert notification is issued to a specified output device, such as an email address.

Abstract: Method apparatus, and computer instructions for updating a flash memory. Information regarding the flash memory, for example, configuration and size information, is determined, and the determined information is then used to apply a code update to the flash memory. The invention allows for the same update program or tool to be used for data processing systems with different sizes or configurations of flash memories.

Abstract: A web browser predictively and automatically searches for web documents linked to a currently displayed web page which contain terms of interest to a web browser user. Linked documents containing terms of interest are automatically retrieved and stored while the user views the current document such that if the user selects the link to stored document, it will be displayed without waiting for it to download. To further assist the user in finding the documents containing the user's interest terms, links in the current page leading to the documents of interest are highlighted, and special fast links to those pages may be created and displayed for even greater noticeability and usability by the user.

Abstract: A script is created which accurately monitors filesystem usage. Initially, a filesystem is identified to be monitored. Growth parameters for the particular filesystem are stipulated which, if exceeded, will result in notification to an administrator of the system. Thresholds are set for the selected growth parameters. Script execution timing is set, and the script is automatically executed at the preset time intervals. Each time the script executes, a comparison is made between the system specifics and preset growth thresholds. If a filesystem exceeds a threshold, then notification is provided to the system administrator.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing a library in a data processing system that supports file compression. Functions in the library that are unrequired on the data processing system are identified to form a set of identified functions. Existing data for the set of identified functions in the library is overwritten with new data that is more compressible than the code, wherein compression of the library by the data processing system results in a library with a smaller size.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for determining validity of and updating a microcode image. Responsive to initiation of an update process, a validity indicator is checked to determine whether the microcode image in the memory is valid. The validity is set indicator to indicate that the microcode image is invalid, in response to the microcode image being valid. Responsive to the microcode image being valid, the update process is allowed to update the microcode image to form an updated microcode image. A determination is made as to whether the updated microcode image is valid. The validity indicator is set to indicate that the microcode is valid if the updated image is valid. The validity indicator is checked during booting of a data processing system to determine whether to load the microcode image. If the validity indicator is valid, the microcode will be loaded. Otherwise, an alternative microcode image is loaded or an error report is generated.

Abstract: A method for monitoring incoming data from an external computer network is provided. The invention comprises polling all active port connections in a data processing system at regular intervals and comparing these connections to a table of authorized ports and IP addresses. Any unauthorized connections are logged and a network administrator is notified. The present invention can be implemented on clients within a computer network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying unauthorized attempts to access a data processing system. A file used to contain data on failed attempts to access the data processing system is monitored. Responsive to the file containing data on failed attempts to access the data processing system, the data is analyzed to identify candidates for unauthorized access attempts.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for updating a flash memory. A configuration of the flash memory is determined to form an identified configuration. A code update is applied to the flash memory based on the identified configuration.

Abstract: A web browser enhancement determines keywords that are of interest to the web browser user, with the interest terms thereafter being available to other programs for use in assisting the web browser user in finding web content of interest to the user. A master list of interest terms is presented to a user, either directly with a master checklist, or indirectly through a series of questions. User selections and answers are recorded, and a user interest term list is created and stored for later availability to other browsing programs and plug-ins.

Abstract: A web browser predictively and automatically searches for web documents linked to a currently displayed web page which contain terms of interest to a web browser user. Linked documents containing terms of interest are automatically retrieved and stored while the user views the current document such that if the user selects the link to stored document, it will be displayed without waiting for it to download. To further assist the user in finding the documents containing the user's interest terms, links in the current page leading to the documents of interest are highlighted, and special fast links to those pages may be created and displayed for even greater noticeability and usability by the user.

Abstract: A computer system including a central processing unit and a system memory accessible to the central processing unit via a host bus. A primary non-volatile storage element and a backup non-volatile storage element are incorporated into the system's motherboard. The primary non-volatile storage element contains the system's boot code that is executed following a reset or power on event. The backup non-volatile storage element contains a restoration sequence that is suitable for reprogramming a first portion of the boot code in the primary non-volatile storage element. A jumper block on the motherboard determines which of the non-volatile storage elements is initially addressed following a power on event. Preferably, the first portion of the boot code comprises the system's boot block or gold code and includes a sequence for downloading and reprogramming remaining portions of the boot code. The primary non-volatile storage element is preferably implemented as a multiple sector flash memory device.

Abstract: A program and method is disclosed for enhancing a domain search by increasing the range of search terms to selected synonyms obtained from a standard thesaurus program. Keywords are compared to the same words in a standard thesaurus program. The domain permutations considered by the search program are expanded to the synonym-enhanced keywords. By not only examining permutations of the explicitly given search terms, but also expanding the search to synonyms, an even greater range of domain names is offered to the user.

Abstract: A monitoring process for defining and detecting user-switch violations and issues in a UNIX-based computer system periodically alerts system administrators of potential security risks. The monitoring process is executed at predetermined schedules, or invoked by manual command. A set of rules is defined by the system administrator, and any user-switch instances found in the UNIX user-switch log which match any rule are flagged as violations or potential security issues, and an alert notification is issued to a specified output device, such as an email address.

Abstract: A method of verifying the integrity of a file transferred as a plurality of sectors. During a first pass transfer of a sectored file, first pass sector CRC codes are generated for each sector and stored in system memory. During a second pass transfer, second pass CRC codes are generated for each sector. The second pass CRC codes are compared to the first pass CRC codes for corresponding sectors. If the second pass CRC code matches the first pass CRC code, the sector is committed to the destination medium. The CRC sector values for an initial sector of the file are preferably generated from a predefined seed. Each successive CRC sector value is then preferably generated from the preceding sector's CRC code such that the sector CRC code of the last sector comprises a final CRC code of the file.