Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for electronically communicating a change in the state of an object (“object information”) or player (“player information”) in an interactive, networked virtual game (“game”) to a participant who is not then currently interacting with the game (“remote player”). The remote player may also actively solicit such information (“poll move”), and/or may passively receive such information as a condition changes (“event-based push mode”) and/or may receive such information at predetermined intervals after a condition has changed (“time-based push mode”). Methods, systems and apparatus are also disclosed for a remote player to electronically communicate to the game at least one play instruction in response to object information or player information (“responsive play instruction”) pay or for a remote player to self-initiate at least one play instruction without having received object information or player information (“initiated play instruction”).

Abstract: Methods, software or computer programs, and apparatus for detecting viruses and mitigating their harm to computers communicating through a gateway node to another network are disclosed. Upon detection of a virus in an incoming data stream or plurality of data packets directed to a gateway device or node, the data requesting recipient is notified and provided with a plurality of pre-defined virus handling action options. If the recipient, or designated proxy, fails to select an action option, then a random selection is made. If a selection is made, then that selection, to the exclusion of other action options, is carried out. Thus, the recipient is empowered to dynamically select, as circumstances dictate and without future prejudice, the appropriate response upon detection of a particular virus. Action options may include data encryption and forwarding with recipient notification, or where email is the vector, attachment removal and location link insertion may be used.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems to modify and/or augment requested data file(s) encoding, directly or through a hyperlink, at least one graphic (static or motion) image (collectively “web page(s)”). Modifications of a web page according to embodiments of the invention include identifying and replacing unsolicited advertisements that are graphic/display based with a generic image or images, and/or text (“basic replacement mode”); identifying and replacing advertisements that are graphic/display based with similarly sized display content (“selective replacement mode”); and adding content to a requested web page (“selective addition mode”). Under revenue model embodiments of the invention, one, some or all display (image(s)) advertisement(s) associated with a requested web page can be modified before the viewer receives the requested web page (“revenue replacement mode”).

Abstract: Methods, and related apparatus and systems to automatically and intelligently administer compliant computers through the use of information (knowledge) stored in at least one database are disclosed. A knowledge database includes commands, and command links or relations, which are used to create jobs having specific operations and objectives. Each command record in the database includes a unique task ID field, at least one command, and preferably a description tag. Each record in the database includes a job ID, a parent relation and a child relation. From a sequential execution point of view, the parent/child relationship identifies the command execution sequence between a prior command (parent) and subsequent command (child). A feature of the invention is its ability to retain and possibly modify jobs based upon the success or failure of a job initiated in response to a condition.