Abstract: A method for generating an update status alert at a receiving device, the receiving device operating in a network of participating devices, each participating device broadcasting status information about a monitored entity associated with a respective participating device, the method comprising the steps of: receiving broadcast status information from each of the participating devices; aggregating the received status information to derive a consensus of the status information received from each of the participating devices; comparing the derived consensus with the status of the monitored entity of the receiving device; detecting a difference between the derived consensus and the status of the monitored entity; and in dependence of a difference being determined, generating an update status alert at the receiving device.

Abstract: A method for networking and collaboration, the method includes: monitoring one or more communication systems for conversations of interest; identifying conversations of interest; introducing the user to the one or more conversations of interest; wherein the identification of one or more conversations of interest is made in response to parameters inputted by the user; and wherein the inputted parameters are matched to at least one of: tags and keywords associated with the conversations of interest.

Abstract: A method for billing mobile device calls and traffic data, the method includes: receiving a number, in response to a user's input into a mobile communications device; comparing the received number to a contact list with annotations; determining whether the received number corresponds to a number in the contact list with annotations; generating a directed communication in response to the received number; sending a corresponding annotation to a billing system in response to the determining, and the initiation of the directed communication; wherein the mobile communication device generates the contact list with annotations, in response to the user input on a mobile communication device; and wherein the contact list and annotations are placed in a storage medium within the mobile communication device.

Abstract: A method for generating an update status alert at a receiving device, the receiving device operating in a network of participating devices, each participating device broadcasting status information about a monitored entity associated with a respective participating device, the method comprising the steps of: receiving broadcast status information from each of the participating devices; aggregating the received status information to derive a consensus of the status information received from each of the participating devices; comparing the derived consensus with the status of the monitored entity of the receiving device; detecting a difference between the derived consensus and the status of the monitored entity; and in dependence of a difference being determined, generating an update status alert at the receiving device.

Abstract: A system for use in an environment having a remote computer system, a user associated with the remote computer system, and an error detection component for detecting errors associated with the remote computer system comprises a storage component for computer programs that performing diagnostics errors associated with the remote computer system, and a search component, responsive to a first error being detected, for searching the storage component for a first computer program associated with the first error. If a first computer program is found, a presentation component presents a first option to the user, wherein the first option is associated with selection of the first computer program. If the user selects the first computer program, an execution component executes the first computer program on the remote computer system.

Abstract: Summarization of text in a document may be requested in dependence upon the position of the text in relation to other text within the document or the position of the document containing the text within a plurality of documents in a document structure. Summarization of text in a document may also be requested in dependence upon a user's interaction with an application in conjunction with a version of the document or with a document structure including the document. Different levels of summarization may be applied to different segments of text within a document.

Abstract: To handle web server failures, a client comprises a health monitor for monitoring the status of the web server, the client being an originator of requests for web pages from the web server. The health monitor receives status information for the web server. If the health monitor determines that the web server has failed, the health monitor redirects requests for web pages hosted by the failed web server to another web server that is working.

Abstract: For processing a request to a portlet, for use with an environment comprising a first data processing system having one or more portlets and a publish/subscribe broker, a system comprises means, responsive to receiving the request, for executing a first component and a second component associated with the portlet, wherein the first component comprises means for generating data comprising a unique topic, wherein the unique topic is associated with the portlet; and wherein the second component is executable in parallel to the first component and comprises means for publishing results associated with the request to the unique topic at the broker.

Abstract: A system for transmitting an input stream for use with an apparatus comprising a plurality of entities (e.g. applications, processes etc.) wherein each entity comprises an associated entity profile having associated profile data. The system comprises: a focus component for detecting focus of a first entity and an intercept component for intercepting the input stream having input data, before the input stream is input to the focused first entity. A match component matches the input data with first profile data of a first entity profile associated with the focused first entity. In response to the input data not matching the first profile data, the match component matches the input data with second profile data of a second entity profile associated with a second entity. In response to the input data matching the second profile data, the input stream is transmitted to the second entity.

Abstract: A system for use in a publish/subscribe messaging system, the publish/subscribe messaging system having: a network, wherein the network has associated network data; and a broker having a matching engine for receiving at least one message from a publisher and for sending the at least one received message to a subscriber over the network. The at least one message has associated size metadata. The system comprises an intercept component for intercepting the at least one received message before sending by the matching engine and a receiving component for receiving the network data and the size metadata. A determining component, responsive to the receiving component, determines an instruction, which comprises a parameter associated with a time period over which the at least one received message is sent to the subscriber by the matching engine. The instruction is determined in accordance with the received network data and the size metadata.

Abstract: A system for executing a multimedia resource, for use in an environment having a first multimedia resource comprising an associated first tag, a set of multimedia resources comprising an associated set of tags, an executing component for executing the first multimedia resource. The system comprises a comparator, responsive to the first multimedia resource being executed, for comparing a second tag of the set of tags with the first tag, to determine whether a second multimedia resource is compatible with the first multimedia resource; a determining component, responsive to the second resource being compatible with the first resource, for determining in accordance with at least one rule, whether the second multimedia resource has a higher priority than the first multimedia resource; and a control component, responsive to a determination that the second multimedia resource has the higher priority, for controlling the executing component to execute the second multimedia resource.

Abstract: A method of assisting a user, for use in an environment comprising: a user session, an external entity session and a forms engine for generating a form. The method comprises the steps of: registering with the user session, wherein a first session is established between the user session and the forms engine; receiving a request for assistance from a user; in response to receiving the request, de-registering with the user session, wherein the first session is un-established; registering with the external entity session, wherein a second session is established between the external entity session and the forms engine; receiving input from the external entity session; and populating the form with the received input.

Abstract: Composition of matter for application to a body surface or membrane to administer a N-(2,5-Disubstituted phenyl)-N′-(3-substituted phenyl)-N′-methyl guanidine by permeation through the body surface or membrane, the composition comprising the guanidine compound to be administered, at a therapeutically effective rate, optionally in combination with a permeation enhancer or mixture. Also disclosed are drug delivery devices and methods for the transdermal administration of a guanidine for the prevention of neuropathic pain, neuropsychological deficits resulting from cardiac surgery (CABG), and other neurological disorders.

Abstract: Adhesive transdermal drug delivery devices may be removed and subsequently reapplied to an area of skin if the adhesive has an initial adhesive/skin bond strength sufficient to maintain said transdermal drug delivery device on the skin to which it is applied for the entire predetermined administration period; and an adhesive/skin bond strength upon replacement on the skin after removal therefrom which is adequate to retain the device on the skin for the balance of the administration period.

Abstract: Composition of matter for application to a body surface or membrane to administer a N-(2,5-Disubstituted phenyl)-N′-(3-substituted phenyl)-N′-methyl guanidine by permeation through the body surface or membrane, the composition comprising the guanidine compound to be administered, at a therapeutically effective rate, optionally in combination with a permeation enhancer or mixture. Also disclosed are drug delivery devices and methods for the transdermal administration of a guanidine for the prevention of neuropathic pain, neuropsychological deficits resulting from cardiac surgery (CABG), and other neurological disorders.

Abstract: Adhesive transdermal drug delivery devices may be removed and subsequently reapplied to an area of skin if the adhesive has an initial adhesive/skin bond strength sufficient to maintain said transdermal drug delivery device on the skin to which it is applied for the entire predetermined administration period; and an adhesive/skin bond strength upon replacement on the skin after removal therefrom which is adequate to retain the device on the skin for the balance of the administration period.

Abstract: Adhesive transdermal drug delivery devices may be removed and subsequently reapplied to an area of skin if the adhesive has an initial adhesive/skin bond strength sufficient to maintain said transdermal drug delivery device on the skin to which it is applied for the entire predetermined administration period; and an adhesive/skin bond strength upon replacement on the skin after removal therefrom which is adequate to retain the device on the skin for the balance of the administration period.

Abstract: Water is purified by reverse osmosis using a semi-permeable membrane supported by the outer surface of an extruded tube of water-permeable rigid p.v.c. so that impure water is recovered from the bore of the tube, the p.v.c. having an apparent density of from 0.5 to 1.3 g/cc, and an average pore diameter of from 5 to 500 microns, at least 50% of the pores being interconnected and 95 to 99.5% of the pores in the tube being accessible from the inner or outer surface thereof, the tube having 1 to 10 holes/mm.sup.2 on the outer surface thereof, and having no surface holes larger than 400 microns in diameter and external diameter of from 1.5mm to 8mm and having a wall thickness of at least 0.5mm.