Abstract: The present invention authenticates a user for multiple resources distributed across multiple domains through the performance of a single authentication. User access requests for a protected resource in a first domain are received and redirected to a second domain. User authentication is performed at the second domain. In one embodiment, the system transmits an authentication cookie for the second domain to the user after authentication at the second domain. In another embodiment, the system further redirects subsequent resource requests for resources in the first domain or a third domain to the second domain. The second domain confirms the user's authentication for applicable portions of the first, second, and third domains using the cookie.

Abstract: The present invention authenticates a user for multiple resources distributed across multiple domains through the performance of a single authentication. User access requests for a protected resource in a first domain are received and redirected to a second domain. User authentication is performed at the second domain. In one embodiment, the system transmits an authentication cookie for the second domain to the user after authentication at the second domain. In another embodiment, the system further redirects subsequent resource requests for resources in the first domain or a third domain to the second domain. The second domain confirms the user's authentication for applicable portions of the first, second, and third domains using the cookie.

Abstract: The present invention authenticates a user for multiple resources distributed across multiple domains through the performance of a single authentication. User access requests for a protected resource in a first domain are received and redirected to a second domain. User authentication is performed at the second domain. In one embodiment, the system transmits an authentication cookie for the second domain to the user after authentication at the second domain. In another embodiment, the system further redirects subsequent resource requests for resources in the first domain or a third domain to the second domain. The second domain confirms the user's authentication for applicable portions of the first, second, and third domains using the cookie.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing information in a data processing system which is coupled to an information storage device having information stored therein. The method includes defining on a first processor a first search request which includes at least one parameter which specifies a first desired type of information, then performing a first search using the first request to determine whether the first type of desired information is stored in the information storage device. While performing the first search the first processor executes another process associated with searching for information in the data processing system. This other process typically includes defining a further search request and performing a further search using the further search request while the first search is being performed. The apparatus of the present invention includes a first processor coupled to the information storage device and a second processor coupled to a network to the first processor.

Abstract: Arbitrary content-files on arbitrary computing platforms are enclosed by content-wrappers. The content-wrapper also binds searchable metadata that describes the content-files within the content-wrapper, as well as user-defined metadata. The metadata can include a title, author, date, and keywords that describe the content-file. The metadata provides searchable text for arbitrary content-files, including non-textual content-files such as graphics, audio, video, and multimedia content. Thus non-textual as well as textual data can be searched. The format of the original content-file is unimportant since the content-file is wholly embedded within the content-wrapper, or a reference (such as a URL) to the content is embedded within the content-wrapper. Content-wrappers can thus enclose any kind of file or even a data stream. Content-wrappers are designed for different computers and operating systems such as Microsoft-Windows-based PC's, UNIX workstations, and Apple Macintosh computers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing information in a data processing system which is coupled to an information storage device having information stored therein. The method includes defining on a first processor a first search request which includes at least one parameter which specifies a first desired type of information, then performing a first search using the first request to determine whether the first type of desired information is stored in the information storage device. While performing the first search the first processor executes another process associated with searching for information in the data processing system. This other process typically includes defining a further search request and performing a further search using the further search request while the first search is being performed. The apparatus of the present invention includes a first processor coupled to the information storage device and a second processor coupled to a network to the first processor.