Abstract: A method of product configuration validation prior to ordering is described. The present method is comprised of receiving a product configuration transmitted from a procuring computer system. The product configuration is received by a computer system. The computer system is configured to cause the distribution of a product utilized in said product configuration to said procuring computer system. The product configuration is compared with parameters relative to functionality of said product when in said product configuration. The functionality parameters are stored on the computer system. The comparing is for validating the product configuration.

Abstract: A networking device comprises an interface configured to receive and transmit data from and to a network; policy data configured to specify, for one or more application-layer messages, a session key that uniquely identifies an application session associated with the application-layer messages; logic encoded in one or more media for execution and when executed operable to receive a particular application-layer message through the interface, generate a particular session key for the particular application-layer message based on the policy data, and provide the particular session key to a message processing function.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for interpreting an application message at a network element using sampling and heuristics. Using this method, a network element such as a router can determine, based solely on a data packet's packet headers, whether the network element ought to invest the time and processing power required to inspect and interpret the data packet's payload portion, or whether the network element can send the data packet toward the data packet's destination without inspecting and interpreting the data packet's payload portion. According to one aspect, while in a sampling state, the network element determines shared packet header characteristics possessed by packet headers of all data packets that require application layer message inspection. While in a processing state, the network element forgoes application layer message inspection relative to data packets whose packet headers do not possess the shared packet header characteristics. The network element alternates between the states.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for performing security functions on a message payload in a network element. According to one aspect, a network element receives one or more data packets. The network element performs a security function on at least a portion of an application layer message that is contained in one or more payload portions of the one or more data packets. According to another aspect, a network element receives a first request that is destined for a first application. The network element sends, to a second application that sent the first request, a second request for authentication information. The network element receives the authentication information and determines whether the authentication information is valid. If the authentication information is not valid, then the network element prevents the first request from being sent to the first application.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for processing order messages exchanged between a client and an order server. The order messages can be for products and services that the customer orders from a vendor. The client provides the input order messages, which contain order commands in a predefined document format, to an order message manager of the order server, which also provides an order message sorter and message processing modules. The order message sorter reads the input document in the input order message to determine a type for the message and then directs the message to a message processing module capable of processing that type of order message. The message processing module processes the input document, obtains data if needed from an order database, and prepares an output document to include in an output order message to be returned to the client.

Abstract: In an order processing system, mechanisms and techniques receive a change to an existing order in the order processing system and generate a change order based on the existing order. The change order includes the change to the existing order. The system can then compare the change order to the existing order to generate change order result that indicates differences between a change order in the existing order. The system then provides the change order result to at least one recipient such that the recipient may distinguish the differences between a change order in the existing order. Since a change to an existing order can result in changes other than those specifically specified in the received change, the system of the invention allows a person making the change to be presented with the change order results that convey all of the changes that result to the existing order.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for application layer message-based load balancing. According to one aspect, when a network element receives one or more data packets that collectively contain an application layer message, the network element determines a message classification to which the application layer message belongs. Using a load-balancing algorithm that is mapped to the message classification, the network element selects a server from among a plurality of servers, and sends the message toward that server. According to one “adaptive” load-balancing algorithm, the network element selects the server based on multiple servers' average historical response times and average outstanding request wait times. The network element continuously maintains these statistics for each server toward which the network element has sent requests. The network element tracks response times by recording how much time passes between the sending of a request to a server and the receiving of a corresponding response from that server.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for interpreting an application message at a network element using sampling and heuristics. Using this method, a network element such as a router can determine, based solely on a data packet's packet headers, whether the network element ought to invest the time and processing power required to inspect and interpret the data packet's payload portion, or whether the network element can send the data packet toward the data packet's destination without inspecting and interpreting the data packet's payload portion. According to one aspect, while in a sampling state, the network element determines shared packet header characteristics possessed by packet headers of all data packets that require application layer message inspection. While in a processing state, the network element forgoes application layer message inspection relative to data packets whose packet headers do not possess the shared packet header characteristics. The network element alternates between the states.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for performing security functions on a message payload in a network element. According to one aspect, a network element receives one or more data packets. The network element performs a security function on at least a portion of an application layer message that is contained in one or more payload portions of the one or more data packets. According to another aspect, a network element receives a first request that is destined for a first application. The network element sends, to a second application that sent the first request, a second request for authentication information. The network element receives the authentication information and determines whether the authentication information is valid. If the authentication information is not valid, then the network element prevents the first request from being sent to the first application.

Abstract: The mechanism is directed to techniques for automatically handling a change order request that modifies an order previously submitted by a customer to a manufacturer and/or distributor of products. A change order system includes a change order engine implemented on a network commerce server, an order entry application implemented on an order database server, and an ordering application implemented on a customer computer or an ordering server The change order system provides for the automatic handling over an electronic network of a change order request from a customer, while providing a current status of the order and feedback to the customer. The customer enters a change order request to the ordering application, which forwards the change order request over the Internet to the change order engine.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article or pad provides improved wearer comfort because it is shaped to provide an optimal fit to the user's undergarment, it has soft, flexible sides to prevent chafing of the user's thighs, and it has relatively stiff ends to prevent the ends from curling up during use. The difference in flexibility between the pad's ends and sides is achieved by placing a core of absorbent material end to end along the longitudinal axis of the product and centered in the midsection of the product so that the absorbent material is present in the peripheral sections of the product's ends but is absent in the peripheral sections of the product's sides.

Abstract: In absorbent products, such as sanitary napkins, discreet areas of dry fibrous materials such as fluid-repellent materials are precisely placed in various planes within the product so as to provide barriers to bodily fluid leakage from the product. In a preferred embodiment, hydrophobic fibers are placed around the periphery of a central absorbent area of an absorbent product to discourage and/or prevent side or end leakage from the product.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin is provided which is capable of being used as is or can be elongated by simple action by the user. The napkin comprises short tabs having pleats therein which can be unfolded to render the napkin longer.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin having an adhesive element thereon for attaching to a undergarment is provided with means for both protecting the napkin and the adhesive element prior to use and for disposing of the napkin after use. The means comprise providing the napkin with a wrapper sheet of flexible material overlying one major surface, and the sides of the napkin and at least partially overlapping on the second major surface of the napkin. The sheet is releasably adhered to and held in place by the adhesive element.