Abstract: A computer network guarantees timeliness to distributed real-time applicans by allowing an application to specify its timeliness requirements and by ensuring that a data source can meet the specified requirements. A reflective memory area is established by either a data source or an application. A data source maps onto this reflective memory area and writes data into it. In order to receive data from this data source, an application requests attachment to the reflective memory area to which the data source is mapped and specifies timeliness requirements. The application may specify that it needs data either periodically or upon occurrence of some condition. The application allocates buffers at its local node to receive data. The data source then establishes a data push agent thread at its local node, and a virtual channel over the computer network between the data push agent thread and the application attached to its reflective memory area.

Abstract: A computer system includes at least one client computer and at least one server computer. An Object Configuration Manager allows a user to distribute and use objects, such as business logic, database tables, and batch applications. Additionally, through the Object Configuration Manager, access to objects can be limited to select users and applications. The Object Configuration Manager is implemented as a software application.

Abstract: A computer network communication system collects messages from multiple electronic sources comprising network service providers and presents them to a system user in a common format that is selectable by the user. The system receives charge account information from the user and thereby recoups costs associated with providing the computer network communication access. Charge account and associated identification information for a user are stored at a central control site, along with a user's preferred display settings. The central control site is connected to an interconnected computer network and to multiple remote sites comprising computer terminals that communicate with the central control site over the computer network. The remote user sites also are capable of direct communication with network service providers independently of the central control site over conventional telephone line connections.

Abstract: A data capture system is disclosed as comprising a plurality of client data collection terminals, and a server station. Each terminal including a mechanism for collecting data, a dynamic addressable memory and a first controller operating on data formatted in a first style. The server station comprises mass memory, which is larger than the dynamic addressable memory of a terminal for storing data to be used by the data collection terminals, an addresser responsive to a memory altering request for addressing the mass memory and a second controller operating on data formatted in a second style different from said first style. The data stored in the dynamic addressable memory is formatted in the second style. A communication system interconnects the server station and each of the plurality of client data collection terminals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for providing real-time, two-way transactional capabilities on the Web. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention discloses a configurable value-added network switch for enabling real-time transactions on the World Wide Web. The configurable value added network switch comprises a system for switching to a transactional application in response to a user specification from a World Wide Web application, a system means for transmitting a transaction request from the transactional application, and a system for processing the transaction request. Additionally, a method for enabling object routing is disclosed, comprising the steps of creating a virtual information store containing information entries and attributes associating each of the information entries and the attributes with an object identity, and assigning a unique network address to each of the object identities.

Abstract: The problems of latency, flow control and data loss, and data movement within a client system memory are solved in a distributed multimedia system so as to enable real-time transmission of broadcast quality media data over the network. Latency is reduced by an estimation by the server of client needs. Data loss is prevented and flow control is provided by permitting the server to send only as much information as the network interface can reliably receive. Data movement is minimized by copying data directly from the network interface to memory in a display processor or audio processor.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus for carrying out workload management with respect to a group of servers in an asynchronous client/server computing system, has: a device for receiving a work request from a client application; a device for consulting availability data concerning the group of servers and for selecting a particular server in the group to be used to satisfy the received work request on the basis of the consulted availability data, where the consulted availability data is always used in its present state when the work request is received, irrespective of whether availability data has been received for each server in the group, in order to select a server from the group; and a device for placing the received work request in a transmission queue where it awaits transmission to the particular server in the group.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying an electronic mail message related to a statement submitted in an online chat session. Statements submitted by participants in the online chat session are searched for a specified keyword. When the keyword is detected in a statement submitted by a first participant in the chat session, mail boxes of the first participant and a specified second participant are searched for electronic mail messages related to the specified keyword. The related electronic mail messages are read from the respective mail boxes and displayed on a terminal unit of the second participant.

Abstract: A request message is sent by a client to a server according to a first protocol (e.g., HTTP) identifying a data file and a storage location, such as an E-mail address. In response the server forwards the requested data file to the E-mail address according to a second protocol (e.g., SMTP). In doing so large amounts of data can be retrieved at a future time when network traffic is lower. Also, if the client does not have the necessary hardware/software setup, the requested data file can be retrieved by a second client which may have capability to present the information in the data file to the user. The different types of information that are capable of being handled by software operating at the client (e.g., web browser) can be handled by the E-mail software operating at the client.

Abstract: A computer system and method for transmitting information in variable length information packets, each of which can be independently processed by the receiving computer irrespective of other packets, is disclosed. The invention enables the transmission of packets concerning one process to be interspersed with packets concerning other processes so that information can be exchanged between computers in the system without having to wait for the completion of an ongoing process.

Abstract: A computer system employs a globally addressable storage environment that allows a plurality of networked computers to access data by addressing even when the data is stored on a persistent storage device such as a computer hard disk and other traditionally non-addressable data storage devices. The computers can be located on a single computer network or on a plurality of interconnected computer networks such as two local area networks (LANs) coupled by a wide area network (WAN). The globally addressable storage environment allows data to be accessed and shared by and among the various computers on the plurality of networks.

Abstract: A network device for use in a data communication network comprises: a multiplicity of ports capable of receiving input data; a common buffer memory for storing in respective buffers data received by the input ports; and processing system for controlling the writing of data into buffers and the reading of data from said buffers. The processing system determines whether the extent of occupation of the common buffer memory exceeds a threshold defined to represent congestion of the memory. Counter system enabled by the processing system on detection of the aforementioned threshold count units of input data through the respective ports, the processing system decrementing these counters as data is read out from the common buffer memory.

Abstract: Cross-service connectivity between use of the telephone network and use of an e-mail data network is provided by enabling a recipient of an e-mail message to receive e-mail messages through an alias e-mail address which is directly associated with the recipient's telephone number. Thus, the alias e-mail address consists of the recipient's telephone number as the recipient name at a well-known and publicized common domain name server. A sender therefore addresses an e-mail message to the recipient to that alias e-mail address using the recipient's alias telephone number name. A message addressed to the alias e-mail address is sent to a translation server at that known domain name, where the alias telephone number-recipient name is translated to the actual e-mail address comprising the recipient's actual name and associated domain name server, and the message is then forwarded to that recipient at that actual e-mail address.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for displaying an active uniform network resource locator during playback of a media file or media broadcast. In one embodiment, a uniform network resource locator can be embedded in a media file. In another embodiment, a video signal or media broadcast can contain information encoded contemporaneously with or prior to broadcast defining an embedded uniform network resource locator. An output for display is generated based upon the media file or media broadcast where display of the output shows the embedded uniform network resource locator as active during display of the output. The user is then allowed to activate the embedded uniform network resource locator. In response to activation by the user, the embedded uniform network resource locator can be followed to retrieve a resource addressed by the embedded uniform network resource locator.

Abstract: A scheme for transferring files from a file server to a file requesting client, which enables request and transfer of files which are related to a user requested file at a time of transferring a user requested file. The file requesting client makes a file request indicating a desired file, and in response the file server transfers a file list of files related to the desired file indicated by the file request. Then, the file requesting client makes a transfer request requesting a transfer of files according to the file list, and in response the file server transfers the files requested by the transfer request. Alternatively, the file requesting client makes a request indicating a desired file, and in response the file server transfers a concatenated file formed by concatenating files related to the desired file indicated by the request. Then, the file requesting client extracts individual files from the concatenated file.

Abstract: A communication system with a control circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes an operating system for exchanging messages and user software, and a device for exchanging software. For a software component to be exchanged in a few milliseconds, a newly loaded software component, corresponding to a successor component, obtains states and messages from a service port of a stopped software component that is to be replaced, corresponding to a predecessor component. The successor component is restarted with the transferred states and messages.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for dynamically loading a gateway server into a client machine if one is needed for the client machine to communicate directly with a program in another domain. In brief summary, when a new machine receives an object reference, this new machine must determine whether it can use the object reference as is for further communications or whether it must try to modify the object reference before using it. The new machine makes this determination by seeing if the front handle of the object reference points to a gateway object that is located on the new machine. If so, then the new machine can use the object reference as is. If the front handle pointer indicates that the designated gateway object is on another machine, then the task is to find or create a new gateway object on the new machine for use in further communications and to modify the object reference accordingly.

Abstract: A network management system which enables a user to manage a network using browsers available on remote computer systems. A designer provides a page specification document identifying information elements of interest and corresponding explanatory labels. The page specification document is translated into a plurality of hypertext documents. The page specification document also allows the designer to logically group the information elements of interest, and the grouping automatically defines the sequence in which the hypertext documents are accessed from other hypertext documents by actuating hypertext links in the other hypertext documents. The user interface is further simplified by providing Java Applets, which provide a simple user interface.

Abstract: A network manager automatically sends certain requests in response to selected events generated by network devices. When a device generates an event, the network manager can send stop requests to the device; send different event requests to the device; or send the same event request to the device, but over a different path. The stop request is sent to cut down on network management traffic. The different event requests can be sent to determine why the event was generated by the device in the first place. The same event request can be sent over a different path to determine whether a problem exists with the device itself or with the path to the device.

Abstract: A method of allowing any initiating host to establish communications with any receiving host in a computing network using a Multi-path channel communication protocol. The computing environment also having a gateway device that is electronically connected from one end to at least one initiating host and at the other end to at least one local area network through which a plurality of hosts are connected to the gateway device. During an initialization step all functions commercially available on all communication platforms are inputted in a special function table. Then the particular associated platform is queried and the functions provided in the computing environment is determined and inputted also in the function table. All alterations and modifications to the availability of old functions or addition of new functions are also monitored and inputted in the table.

Abstract: A method of identifying calls between nodes within a connection-oriented network is described. The method commences with the step of identifying first and second network devices within the connection-oriented network. Thereafter, in concurrent first and second operations, network management information is retrieved from the first and second network devices. The management information is processed to identify nodes and calls within the connection-oriented network. Specifically, a group of nodes resident of the first and second network is identified, and a set of calls for which the identified nodes are end-points is determined. In one exemplary embodiment, the management information is processed to identify any other nodes which are end-points of the identified calls. The management information collected in the first and second operations is correlated to determine which of the nodes are in communication with each other via the identified calls.

Abstract: A library of reentrant networking functions organized with file system semantics is provided to allow a client application on a client computer connected to a computer network to establish communications with and exchange information with a server application on a server network computer. The library of reentrant networking functions are organized with file system semantics and parallel the function, structure and organization of a file system. Individual reentrant networking functions provide multiple networking features. The reentrant networking functions also provide asynchronous operations and security features. The library of reentrant networking functions can be included in, and called from multiple client applications. This library of reentrant networking function simplifies the creation of client applications such as network browsers that communicate with the Internet or an intranet computer network.

Abstract: Computer data provided according to a first data protocol, such as the Internet protocol, is communicated over a digital television broadcast network using a second data protocol such as MPEG2. The computer data in the first data protocol is encapsulated in at least one data stream for distribution in conformance with the second data protocol. The at least one data stream encapsulating the computer data is multiplexed with a plurality of data streams conforming to the second data protocol for transmission over the network, which may be a cable or satellite television network. The data stream encapsulating the computer data is received from the network according to the second data protocol, and processed in accordance with the second data protocol to recover the computer data in the first data protocol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a packet-based telemedicine system for communicating video, voice and medical data between a central monitoring station and a patient monitoring station which is remotely-located with respect to the central monitoring station. The patient monitoring station obtains digital video, voice and medical measurement data from a patient and encapsulates the data in packets and sends the packets over a network to the central monitoring station. Since the information is encapsulated in packets, the information can be sent over multiple types or combinations of network architectures, including a Community access Television (CATV) network, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a wide are network (WAN), over a wireless communications network, or over an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network. Thus, a separate transmission protocol is not required for each different type of transmission media.

Abstract: A network node preprocesses Closed User Group (CUG) member rules and network configuration information available to the node during a configuration phase of the network preceding an operational phase in which calls are placed among the users. The preprocessing stores the information about the CUG membership of network users into a preprocessed CUG information table directly associated with user addresses. CUG membership of some attached users is ambiguous at configuration time if there exists a CUG member rule that is more specific than a prefix configured on the node with which the addresses of such users begin. For such users, CUG membership is determined at call time. The node determines at configuration time whether the CUG membership information concerning users whose addresses begin with each prefix configured on the node is ambiguous, and for those prefixes for which user CUG membership is ambiguous an associated indicator is set.

Abstract: A packet communications network includes a route management system in which routes can be remotely changed by using a simple set command to set a data value in the originating or terminating node of the route. Storage tables in the originating and destination nodes record the route changes and administrative data concerning the route. This administrative data can be retrieved from the originating node by simple get or get-next commands. The administrative data can include the specific specification of the route in links, the time of creation of the route, the route replaced and the reason for initiating the change in route. Together these capabilities permit centralized management of route changes in the entire network from a single manager node, and using only simple set, get and get-next command structures.

Abstract: A switch for use in a virtual communications system having multiple local area networks interconnected by multiple switches includes a first communications port connected to a network resource and a second communications port connected to other switches in the virtual communications system. A control console detects a communication from the resource to an addressee. The addressee is a member of a local area network within one or more virtual networks which exclude the network resource. The local area network is interconnected to the second communications port by another switch. The control console appends a privileged header to the communication which is detected by the other switch. Responsive to detection of the privileged header the other switch directs the communication to the local area network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing dynamic applet access to servers from which the applet did not originate wherein an application on the originating server redirects communications between the applet and network resources.

Abstract: A local area network system which allows a plurality of subscriber terminals to communicate with each other via a central station, and a router unit therefor. Logical addresses assigned to the individual subscriber terminals and physical addresses associated therewith are previously registered to an address table. The central station receives transmission data from a first subscriber terminal, to which data a logical address of a second subscriber terminal is affixed. A physical address reading unit, as part of the central station, reads out a physical address corresponding to the received logical address by consulting the address table. When the received logical address was incorrect, the physical address reading unit cannot find the corresponding entry in the address table, and if that is the case, the received transmission data will be discarded.

Abstract: Entertainment content complementary to a musical recording is delivered to a user's computer by means of a computer network link. The user employs a browser to access the computer network. A plug-in for the browser is able to control an audio CD or other device for playing the musical recording. A script stored on the remote computer accessed over the network is downloaded. The script synchronizes the delivery of the complementary entertainment content with the play of the musical recording.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a first asynchronous transfer mode network is provided, adapted to couple with a first entity external to the network, the first entity having a fourth port and a fifth port. The network has a first port. The network also has a second port coupled to the first port by a first permanent virtual connection, and the second port is coupled to the fourth port via a first interface. The network also has a third port coupled to said first port by a second permanent virtual connection, and the third port is coupled to the fifth port via a second interface. Packets are sent between the first port and the second port via the first permanent virtual connection, and between the second port and the fourth port via the first interface until a failure is detected, the failure occurring at the first interface, the second port, or the fourth port.

Abstract: Binding data sinks and sources across ring levels of a computer. A new binding channel is created and attached to a comm channel. A unique name is created for the binding channel, and a handle to the unique name is obtained at a relatively low priority ring level. The handle is passed to an unbound relatively high priority ring level code module.

Abstract: A method for controlling flow, through a computer hardware resource, of information to and from computer applications. When a flow of information is initiated from one of the applications, a determination is made whether the resource is being accessed by another one of the applications and, if so, the flow of information from the first application is delayed. If not, then the flow of information is enabled. When a flow of information is initiated toward the applications, a determination is made to which one of the applications the information is flowing, and the flow is directed to that one application. A graphical interface associates, in the mind of a user, a computer hardware resource with a corresponding real office device, the computer resource enabling the computer to function like the consumer device.

Abstract: Message sending can be performed quickly making efficient use of memory space. A class object C is obtained (110) from a specified receiver object. The class object C contains an instance variable pointing to a dispatch table for the class to obtain (120) a dispatch table D. From the code which is an argument of a vmicall instruction, a method M of the address stored in the entry of the code in the dispatch table is retrieved (130). The card which is the other argument of the vmicall instruction is compared (140) with the card number stored in the method M retrieved in step 130. If the card and the card number are not identical, the selector mismatch handler is invoked to locate the correct method to be invoked (150). Then, the method M is invoked (160). In the selector mismatch handler, it is determined whether the dispatch table D for the class C is the default one, and if it is the default dispatch table, the dispatch table for the class C is allocated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for caching data in a universal serial bus (USB) system. In one embodiment, the present invention employs a host computer coupled to an I/O device via a USB. The host computer includes a data cache for storing data retrieved from the I/O device. The data cache allows data to be returned to the host computer upon request without accessing the I/O device via a USB transaction. A cacheability look-up table and cache table are provided to ensure the integrity of data returned to the host computer. Requested data is returned from the I/O device if the cacheability look-up table indicates the requested data is noncacheable. Data is returned from the data cache if the cache table indicates the requested data is available in the cache as valid data. If the cache table indicates the requested data is not available in the cache as valid data, the requested data is returned from the I/O device along with data stored in predetermined I/O device addresses.

Abstract: A control board includes a plate 7 for the control board including a first printed board for mounting a control section 56 and a first connecter 9; and a removable terminal stand plate 1 including a second printed board for mounting a terminal stand 3, input circuit section 4 and output circuit section 5, and a second connector. The first and second connectors are connected to each other.

Abstract: A plurality of series-connected units, e.g., display units, are controlled by serial command data transmitted from a computer. The computer transmits ID setting command data for the respective units in a sequential manner. A controller of each unit takes in an ID code included in a first-received ID setting command data to employ it as an ID code of the associated unit. Based on an instruction signal from the controller indicating that the ID code has been set, subsequently received ID setting command data are transferred to the following unit.

Abstract: A SCSI bus-based mass storage system for automatically setting the addresses of a plurality of disk devices includes a SCSI controller for providing predetermined SCSI address signals including addresses data for each peripheral device, and a SCSI ID input device which receives and stores and forwards the corresponding SCSI address ID to the peripheral devices for setting the SCSI ID of addressable peripheral devices. The SCSI controller includes an N-bit shift register having a serial output for providing the SCSI address signals, and a counter for providing the clock signals. Further, the SCSI ID input device includes a plurality of M-bit shift registers which correspond to the number of addressable peripheral devices, where M corresponds to the number of SCSI ID setting jumpers provided in the peripheral devices. Since a manual jumper setting for the SCSI ID can be avoided, faster and more convenient use of the SCSI devices is possible when one or more SCSI devices are added to the computer system.

Abstract: A radio selective paging receiver in which data can be shared between PC and the radio selective paging receiver and the system can be easily upgraded. An attribute setting means includes a card attribute and a shared memory space selective register. A self card shared memory space (memory means 1 and memory means 2) is selectively set based on a set value for a shared memory space selective register provided from the terminal. The control setting means executes selective process based on information stored in the register.

Abstract: A method of providing immediate status and capability indicators of an imaging device to an operator by displaying at the user interface display screen an indicator of imaging device features available for operation and a display of imaging device features not available for operation. There is also provided a display of imaging device features in use by animating the display screen and there are displayed connecting channels indicating connection of the imaging device to other devices on the network. Finally, there is presented to the operator a manifestation of the capability of concurrent feature operation of the imaging device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a personal computer system which includes a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a direct access storage device (DASD) and a random access memory (RAM). A flash memory module is coupled to the CPU and an input/output (IO) bus and includes a basic input output system (BIOS) stored therein. The BIOS is effective for responding to the energization of the computer system by initiating a power on self test (POST). The BIOS is further operative on completion of the POST for transferring a portion of BIOS from the module to the RAM and for transferring control of the of the computer system to the BIOS portion. The portion of BIOS is operative to load a protected mode operating system (OS) into RAM and transfer control to the OS. The system further includes a logic circuit coupled to the flash memory module and the IO bus for allowing the BIOS in flash memory to be accessed while the protected mode OS is running.

Abstract: The invention is a computer system with a button array on the computer chassis for simulating the operation of common consumer electronic devices. Each button of the array of buttons is hardwired to the system processor. Upon activation of one of these buttons, an interrupt signal is sent to the system processor. The system processor halts whatever it is doing, and subsequently identifies the activated button. A signal generator attached to the buttons then sends the system processor a second interrupt signal, such that upon exiting the handling of the first interrupt, the system processor is presented with a second interrupt. The system processor then handles the second interrupt. While handling this second interrupt, the system processor executes whatever function corresponds to the activated button. The system processor then exits the handling of the second interrupt and resumes whatever activity it was engaged in before the activation of the button.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for requesting initiation of generation of an interrupt at an I/O APIC (input/output advanced programmable interrupt controller) of a multi-processor computer system. Initiation of generation of the inter-processor interrupt is requested by a peripheral component device, such as a PCI bus controller, not directly connected to an APIC bus extending to interrupt controllers associated with each of the processors of the multi-processor computer system. The interrupt permitted to be initiated by the peripheral component device includes, inter alia, a remote read request.

Abstract: A bridge circuit for coupling a first bus to a second bus includes a read buffer adapted to store read data and control logic. At least a portion of the read data includes prefetch data, and the read data is associated with a requesting device coupled to one of the first and second buses. The control logic is adapted to identify a write request having a target address on one of the first and second buses, flush at least a portion of the prefetch data in response to the target address corresponding to the requesting device, and transfer the write request to the requesting device independent of the read buffer. The write request is useful for signaling the requesting device that the read data is no longer required.

Abstract: A serial data transfer circuit comprises a clock generator for generating at least one kind of clock signals requested by a plurality of transmission units and a plurality of reception units on the basis of a reference clock signal for generating the serial clock signals, first clock request signals and second clock request signals, and a clock selector for selecting the transmission unit and reception unit, which request serial clock signals, among the transmission units and reception units, on the basis of the first clock request signals and the second clock request signals, and supplying the serial clock signals requested by the selected transmission unit and reception unit to the selected transmission unit and reception unit.

Abstract: A computer system is presented having various devices capable of exchanging data using either binary data signals or a.c. signals created by carrier waveform modulation. The computer system includes a common bus having a signal bandwidth divided up to form two or more separate communication channels. A first channel has a signal bandwidth extending from 0 Hz to an upper frequency limit .function..sub.H1, and is reserved for binary data signals. The signals associated with two or more data transfers occurring within different communication channels at the same time are superimposed upon one another on the signal lines of the common bus. The signals do not interfere with one another, thus allowing simultaneous communication between devices via different communication channels. The ability to transfer data using conventional binary data signals allows compatibility with existing devices.

Abstract: A serial interface circuit for interfacing serial data between a control unit and a read/write channel circuit of a magnetic disk drive, includes a bit control data loading unit for loading the serial data to interface with the read/write channel circuit of a specified standard and the bit control data related to the transfer control signal of the serial data under the control of the control unit, and a serial interface control circuit for supplying the serial data to the read/write channel circuit by performing the bit conversion to adapt to the serial data, controlling the polarity and edge of the transfer control signal, and controlling the bit conversion by employing the loaded bit control data.

Abstract: Video data is communicated in a computer system using LVDS signaling. To maintain minimum setup time requirements, video data is translated to LVDS data streams using a TTL-to-LVDS converter (84) which clocks data at the rising edge of a pixel clock signal and is re-converted using an LVDS-to-TTL converter (86) which uses the falling edge of the pixel clock to clock data for output.

Abstract: A computer system includes a plurality of processor modules coupled to a system bus with each of said processor modules including a processor interfaced to the system bus. The processor module has a backup cache memory and tag store. An index bus is coupled between the processor and the backup cache and backup cache tag store with said bus carrying only an index portion of a memory address to said backup cache and said tag store. A duplicate tag store is coupled to an interface with the duplicate tag memory including means for storing duplicate tag addresses and duplicate tag valid, shared and dirty bits. The duplicate tag store and the separate index bus provide higher performance from the processor by minimizing external interrupts to the processor to check on cache status and also allows other processors access to the processor's duplicate tag while the processor is processing other transactions.

Abstract: A device for controlling data transmission between a docking station and a portable computer includes signal control circuitry connected to the docking station for selectively enabling and disabling data transmission between the docking station and the portable computer to enable and disable expanded operating functions of the portable computer, respectively. The signal control circuitry enables and disables the data transmission between the docking station and the portable computer in dependence upon a first signal indicating a power supply state of the docking station, a second signal indicating a power supply state of the portable computer, and a third signal indicating a connection state between the docking station and the portable computer.