Abstract: To improve upon existing Winsock implementations, the claimed system and method adapts an existing Winsock system to use out-of-process NSP services. The claimed method and system provides asynchronous Winsock Next calls to provide client application processing flexibility. Further, the claimed method and system provides additional structures for passing additional NSP specific information for a result set to enable further client functionality. One embodiment of the claimed system provides additional client Winsock API functions to aggregate and manage asynchronous calls to multiple NSPs and/or multiple namespaces.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium are provided for resolving a name to a network endpoint. According to one method, naming providers are registered with a computer system that are operative to resolve names to network endpoints for one or more domains. A provider can claim to be a primary provider or a secondary provider for a domain. A provider can also register as a wildcard provider. Once the providers have been registered, requests may be received to resolve an e-mail address into a network address of the corresponding computer system. In response to such a request, one or more of the registered providers are identified as being able to resolve names in the domain to network addresses. Requests are transmitted to the identified providers requesting that they resolve the e-mail address to a corresponding network address. The manner in which the requests are made depends upon whether authoritative results are required.

Abstract: The overall health of a peer-to-peer network may be inferred from statistics gathered and analyzed pertaining to individual node and node-to-node performance within the peer-to-peer network. When used with simulations for development or testing, the health statistic may be used instead of or to supplement standard regression testing to determine whether or not changes made improve system performance. When used with live peer-to-peer networks, the health statistic may provide a real-time view into network performance. Such a view may be used to adjust peer-to-peer network topology or to isolate underperforming or malicious nodes.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system enable users to create a social network providing access to other users. By providing access to such networks via a visual presentation, the system renders content available for access by other network members. Access is sometimes provided through propagation of metadata or other uniquely identifying indicia associated with the social network to all or at least certain other network members.

Abstract: A method of converting a peer name to a PNRP DNS is disclosed. The method may take a peer name and encode it into a common DNS name. The method may also take a PNRP DNS name and convert it to a peer name.

Abstract: A method of determining a source address to publish and a destination address to use for a network, including a PNRP network, is disclosed such that the probability of reaching a network node without repeated re-tries is maximized.

Abstract: A system for resampling texture maps in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises memory and a texture map manager. The stores a first texture map defining a first texture, and the first texture map is based on an image of an object. The texture map manager is configured to resample the first texture map such that resampling of the first texture map, by the texture map manager, compensates for a surface distortion of the object.

Abstract: A system for resampling texture maps in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises memory and a texture map manager. The stores a first texture map defining a first texture, and the first texture map is based on an image of an object. The texture map manager is configured to resample the first texture map such that resampling of the first texture map, by the texture map manager, compensates for a surface distortion of the object.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium are provided for resolving a name to a network endpoint. According to one method, naming providers are registered with a computer system that are operative to resolve names to network endpoints for one or more domains. A provider can claim to be a primary provider or a secondary provider for a domain. A provider can also register as a wildcard provider. Once the providers have been registered, requests may be received to resolve an e-mail address into a network address of the corresponding computer system. In response to such a request, one or more of the registered providers are identified as being able to resolve names in the domain to network addresses. Requests are transmitted to the identified providers requesting that they resolve the e-mail address to a corresponding network address. The manner in which the requests are made depends upon whether authoritative results are required.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, method, and computer-readable medium are provided for authorizing a computing node to participate in a group of computing nodes utilizing a shared group password. According to one method described herein, an invitation to join a group is transmitted to a tentative group member node. The invitation is used to establish a connection with a group member node of the group. The tentative group member node generates a hash of a group password and transmits the hash to the group member node. When the group member node receives the hash, the group member node compares the received value to a previously stored hash of the group password. If the previously stored value is identical to the value received from the tentative group member node, then the tentative group member node is authorized as a new member of the group. Otherwise the tentative group member node is not permitted to become a member of the group.

Abstract: Methods of experience-based exception grouping are described. A number of exceptions are read. The exceptions are intelligently associated with one of a number of exception groups. Each exception group corresponds to a common user experience.

Abstract: To improve upon existing Winsock implementations, the claimed system and method adapts an existing Winsock system to use out-of-process NSP services. The claimed method and system provides asynchronous Winsock Next calls to provide client application processing flexibility. Further, the claimed method and system provides additional structures for passing additional NSP specific information for a result set to enable further client functionality. One embodiment of the claimed system provides additional client Winsock API functions to aggregate and manage asynchronous calls to multiple NSPs and/or multiple namespaces.

Abstract: A system for providing secure asynchronous message publishing and retrieval in a serverless environment. The system may be used on ad-hoc and segmented networks such as peer-to-peer networks. The system may provide a method of sending and storing asynchronous message requests/responses via a Distributed Hash Table (DHT), a method for establishing RSS feeds via the asynchronous messaging service, a method for publishing a request for Internet Message buddy authorization and of retrieving pending buddy requests.

Abstract: A firewall functions normally to pass data on open ports to a respective service or endpoint associated with an open port. Invitations may sent to from an internal endpoint to an external peer-to-peer network endpoint inviting a connection back to the internal endpoint. Rather than leave ports open in a firewall for such connections, an invitation manager analyzes the invitation and in real time programs an exception in the firewall based on the invitation. The exceptions may be programmed for a limited duration, based on the nature of the internal endpoint. When an authenticated connection is required, a public key or handle to a public key for the external endpoint may be passed to the firewall for use in establishing the connection.

Abstract: A system may publish authenticated contact information in a publicly available index store, retrieve the contact information, and validate it. The claimed method and system may provide a client-based, server optional approach to publishing. The publicly available index store may be a distributed hash table used in a peer-to-peer network. The system may be used in other secure directory service applications where a server may not be available or where server trust may be minimal.

Abstract: An application program interface (API) for sending and receiving endpoint registration data and peer-to-peer network cloud data has a registration call for adding endpoint data to a peer-to-peer network. The API may receive explicit data regarding address information or may be instructed to select and maintain suitable address information as the topology of the peer-to-peer network changes. Blocking and non-blocking calls are exposed for retrieving information peer-to-peer network endpoint data.

Abstract: A method of determining a source address to publish and a destination address to use for a network, including a PNRP network, is disclosed such that the probability of reaching a network node without repeated re-tries is maximized.

Abstract: A method of discovering a community relay node within a network community wherein the community relay node is operatively coupled to an access-protected client and adapted to facilitate communication between the access-protected client and a requesting client, includes receiving a request message from a requesting client relating to a request for a community relay node, associating the request message with a serverless name resolution protocol name, selecting a community relay node from among a list of community relay nodes based on the serverless name resolution protocol name, wherein the list of community relay nodes comprises at least one internet protocol address associated with a community relay node, and returning an internet protocol address of the selected community relay node to the requesting client.

Abstract: A method of converting a peer name to a PNRP DNS is disclosed. The method may take a peer name and encode it into a common DNS name. The method may also take a PNRP DNS name and convert it to a peer name.

Abstract: The claimed process and system provides a resolution process for a multi-level cache resolution protocol that involves a lookup procedure whereby the initiating node contacts each intermediate node directly using a communication link separate from any previous intermediate node. The resolution process may involve caching information from each contacted intermediate node during the resolution process to request leads on the target node in the form of a list of closer nodes known to the intermediary node.