Abstract: A unique identifier on a tag of an object is read. Transactional information relating to the object is recorded and used to encrypt the unique identifier into a code. The code is then written into memory of the tag such that the code records the transactional information.

Abstract: A data service system in a data access network system is described. The data service system includes a content server that stores content files for access by external access requests. Each of the content files is stored in a full content format and an adapted or degraded content format which is less resource-intensive to serve than the full content format. The data service system also includes an adaptive load control system which is coupled to the content server to pass the access requests to the content server. The adaptive load control system modifies an access request to access the corresponding content file in the adapted content format when the content server is in an overload condition such that the content server can be maintained at safe load conditions. A method of maintaining the content server at safe load conditions is also described.

Abstract: A data service system in a data access network system is described. The data service system includes a content server that stores content files for access by external access requests. Each of the content files is stored in a full content format and an adapted or degraded content format which is less resource-intensive to serve than the full content format. The data service system also includes an adaptive load control system which is coupled to the content server to pass the access requests to the content server. The adaptive load control system modifies an access request to access the corresponding content file in the adapted content format when the content server is in an overload condition such that the content server can be maintained at safe load conditions. A method of maintaining the content server at safe load conditions is also described.

Abstract: A system that enables communication and collaboration among individuals using rich media environments. A system according to the present techniques includes a set of rich media environments each having a corresponding arrangement of sensing and rendering components for sensing of and rendering to a corresponding set of individuals. A system according to the present techniques includes an interest thread detector that uses the sensing and rendering components to detect formation of multiple communication interactions among the individuals and that creates an interest thread for each detected communication interaction and further includes a communication provider that for each interest thread captures a set of media data from a corresponding subset of the sensing components and that combines the captured media data in response to the activities of the corresponding individuals and that communicates the combined media data to a corresponding subset of the rendering components.

Abstract: A server application system includes a server application module that performs predetermined functions in response to external user requests. The server application system further includes a characterization module coupled to receive the external user requests, and to determine a threshold for user tolerance of delay for each of the user requests. Tolerance threshold is calculated using task type, service level, and session duration. A classification module is then coupled to the characterization module to dynamically assign each of the user requests an allowable processing deadline based on the corresponding user tolerance threshold of that user request. The processing deadline specifies the time period within which the particular user request must be serviced by the server application module. A method of admitting incoming user requests to a server application is also described.

Abstract: A data service system is accessible through a plurality of access requests. The data service system includes a user access request classification system for classifying the access requests. The user access request classification system includes a request classifier that classifies each of the access requests into one of a plurality of classes based on a predetermined classification policy. The user access request classification system also includes a plurality of buffers coupled to the request classifier. Each buffer corresponds to one of the classes to receive the access requests classified by the request classifier as belonging to that class such that the data service system processes the access requests in accordance with their classes. A method of classifying user access requests for the data service system is also described.

Abstract: A data service system is described that includes a plurality of data content sites and is coupled to a number of user terminals via a network. The data service system also includes a system for providing performance guarantees for the content sites. The system for providing performance guarantees includes a plurality of class processors, each for controlling access throughput of one of the content sites in accordance with a predetermined admission control policy. When one of the class processors receives an access request for one of the content sites, that class processor determines if the access request should be accepted based on the corresponding admission control policy and sends the access request to the corresponding content site when accepting the access request. The system also includes a classifier that determines to which one of the class processors the access request should be sent. A method of controlling access throughput of the content sites is also described.