Abstract: An enhanced metadata structure and associated process is provided which captures and stores metadata gathered about the source and usage of a media asset or file. The source and usage metadata is integrated, such as by encoding within the enhanced media file, as the media asset is transferred and used. The integrated metadata accumulates, as a trail of source information and usage information in the enhanced media asset, and can be extracted upon arrival at a target computer system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is provided for centrally managing core enterprise reference data associated with an enterprise. A centralized master repository contains the core enterprise reference data. An internal services framework coupled to the centralized master repository provides internal services for managing the core enterprise reference data within the centralized master repository, one or more of the internal services having direct access to the core enterprise reference data stored in the centralized master repository for management purposes.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and program for maintaining common data in first, second and third datasets in first, second and third respective computer systems. The first computer system is assigned a sole right to approve updates of the common data while able, and a second computer system is assigned a right to approve updates of the common data when the first computer system is unable. The third computer system subsequently makes a request to the first computer system to update the common data, and in response, the first computer system updates the common data in the first dataset and advises the second and third computer systems to make a corresponding update to their second and third datasets, respectively.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing records stored in differing formats in a shared data environment. One aspect of the invention involves distinguishing a record without regard to its format. Once a record is introduced into the environment, it is detected. A record tag, unique to the environment, is generated and associated with the record. When synchronizing, only those records with equivalent record tags are compared and updated.

Abstract: A time domain server includes a version storage. The time domain server declares epochs for a source server, then requests events from the source server. As the time domain server receives events, it uses the events to update the version storage to store versions of files from the source server.

Abstract: A tree-based datastore comprising a forest of interconnected trees that can be generated and/or accessed may require specialized saving and restoring processes to ensure that all the links are properly maintained whether it will be restored in full or in part. A previous process acted on known features of the trees based datastore to generate a file of metadata and packetize each of the nodes of the structure, carefully saving the links and lists of links with old memory addresses accounted for. This shows how to build a save file without saving all links, using a new restore process to restore the links instead.

Abstract: A digital Intermediate Frequency (IF) processing block including a decimation filter having Finite Impulse Response (FIR) decimation stages provides improved performance over a Hogenauer decimating filter. The filter comprises multiple integrator stages followed by multiple FIR decimating stages. The zeros of the filter are tunable by adjusting the integer coefficients of the FIR stages providing tunability of the cut-off response, as opposed to the fixed sinc response of the Hogenauer filter. As a result, the number of required stages for a particular steepness is reduced, dramatically reducing the amount of digital circuitry required to implement a particular filter design. The improved filter is especially suitable for use in digital IF stages in receivers, and for code-based applications where selectable decimation rate is desired and a fast multiply is not available.

Abstract: A fixed-point arithmetic unit comprises a plurality of full-adders and half-adders arranged in at least an input row and an output row. A plurality of inputs to the input row is arranged to receive bits comprising a sparse-redundant representation of the integer. A converter converts 1-redundant representations of the integer to the space (1/K)-redundant representations. A process is described to design rows of a multiplier by identifying a distribution of multiplication product groups, and transforming the distribution of multiplication product groups to adders to occupy a highest unoccupied row of the multiplier.

Abstract: A data communication system is configured to communicatively link a host device and a client device with a point-to-point data communication link, where the point-to-point data communication link is configured with multipoint network data communication components designed for data communication over a distributed network. A data communication interface at the host device is communicatively linked with a data communication interface driver via the point-to-point data communication link between the host device and the client device. The data communication interface driver communicates with a virtual driver component for the client device via a virtual network at the client device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for scheduling transmit network events in a multiprocessing environment. Each processing node handles its own linked list of transmit object queues and linked list of transport queues. Therefore efficient handling of the transmit network events is enabled. Queues may be added, made inactive, or removed depending on the status of a specific transmit event the queue handles. By maintaining queues in memory, the apparatus is easily scalable, in linear relationship with the size of the memory made available.

Abstract: A system and method for using strip information elements to provide secure data exchange and efficient bandwidth utilization is presented. When a person attends an event, an agent is downloaded into the persons' handheld device. The agent receives and manages strip information elements. The strip information elements do not carry the complete information, but carry the elements necessary to retrieve, format, and display the information. The agent authenticates the strip information elements, and scans the different fields in the strip information elements to make decisions according to the content of the field. Strip information elements include identifiers to distinguish between multiple events and also to determine whether a previously transmitted strip information element should be replaced with a newly received strip information element.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for using mobile agents to gather trust information for evaluating trust in peer-to-peer networks. A peer node may launch a mobile agent on a network including an itinerary of peer nodes to be visited by the mobile agent and an indication of an area of interest. The mobile agent may determine if a visited peer node stores trust evaluations for other peer nodes as providers of codats relevant to the area of interest and, if so, the trust evaluations may be stored as payload data in the mobile agent. After completing the itinerary, the mobile agent may return the payload to the initiating peer node. The initiating peer node may use the trust evaluations collected by the mobile agent in determining or adjusting trust evaluations for peer nodes as providers of codats relevant to the area of interest.

Abstract: Context-aware computing systems and methods are described. In particular embodiments, location aware systems and methods are described. In the described embodiments, hierarchical tree structures can be utilized to ascertain a device context or location.

Abstract: The invention provides a mechanism for use with a transaction processing system that allows a transaction to include a number of associated transaction properties. Transaction properties in turn allow named objects to be associated with a transaction. Transaction properties are available wherever the transaction is active. They can be used as a form of attachment or out-of-band communication mechanism as a transaction flows to various servers in a distributed system, or between different software modules within a single system.

Abstract: A system and method for reserving conference resources for a multipoint conference includes receiving a request for a multipoint conference reservation and a list of participants. Communication paths for a plurality of the participants may be predicted. A multipoint control unit resource requirement may be estimated. A first multipoint control unit may be selected to host the multipoint conference. The availability of the multipoint control unit resource requirement at approximately a scheduled start time of the multipoint conference may be determined. A second multipoint control unit may be selected to host the multipoint conference, if the first multipoint control unit does not have the multipoint control unit resource requirement available at the scheduled start time and for the duration of the conference.

Abstract: The system, method, and article of manufacture of the present invention allow for recording an on-line meeting (also referred to as an “on-line conference”) and saving the recording as a meeting recording file. Additionally, the saved meeting recording file may be played back and/or edited. Moreover, a user may open a meeting recording file during an on-line meeting, and all attendees of the on-line meting can see, as well as hear, the recording content.

Abstract: When electronic mail with firmware attached is received at a data communication apparatus, determination is made whether it corresponds to firmware data of a write process allowable state. In the case of write process allowable data, the message is downloaded from a mail server to a printer controller. Then, derived firmware is transmitted to an image formation apparatus. A firmware rewrite permission is obtained. When the firmware attached to the message does not attain a write process allowable state, waiting is conducted for reception of write process allowable firmware with the data left in the mail server. As a result, a data communication apparatus is provided that can rewrite firmware appropriately independent of a transmitted and received order of divided firmware.

Abstract: To provide a system for providing information that allows operators who orally answer questions about certain products from users to deal with the users quickly and effectively. The level of information disclosure is specified for each electronic information to be used for customer support in an information server. In response to the reception of a request for information from an operator terminal, knowledge levels of the user and the operator are determined. The associated electronic information is edited according to rules of providing information that are determined according to the specified knowledge level. The edited version of the electronic information is supplied to the operator terminal. The extent to which information will be disclosed varies according to the level of the knowledge of the user or the operator for a certain product.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for controlling application software while switching between sessions in a multi-session computing environment. An apparatus includes memory coupled to switching logic and application program managing logic. The switching logic is configured to selectively switch console control of a computing device between at least two user kernel sessions that are maintained in the memory. The application program managing logic is configured to selectively control at least one application program that is operatively configured within at least one of the user kernel sessions. For example, the application program managing logic can be configured to stop the operation, re-start certain application programs, notify application programs about switching events, and/or adjust the playback of audio and/or video signals associated certain application programs.

Abstract: Cable modem terminator comprising new head-end of passenger in-flight entertainment system forms an extended intranet through cable modems disposed at one or more passengers seats. Cable modems form secondary digital networks that deliver data and entertainment content to aircraft integral devices or personal electronic devices belonging to individual passengers.

Abstract: A method for providing telecommunication service to a terminal includes loading a text-based script. The text-based script includes a service definition identifying a user interface web service and an address for the user interface web service. The text-based script also includes a signaling web service definition identifying a signaling web service and an address for the signaling web service. Additionally, the text-based script includes a user interface event handler identifying a user interface event type and including a call to the user interface web service, and a signaling event handler identifying a signaling event type and including a call to the signaling web service. The method additionally includes registering with the user interface web service by communicating a text-based message to the address of the user interface web service, and registering with the signaling web service by communicating a text-based message to the address of the signaling web service.

Abstract: A method for configuring a mobile computer based on location. The method including determining a change in location of the mobile computer, scoring a current location signature for the mobile computer against previously stored location profiles having location signatures to obtain a highest scoring location profile, and determining whether the highest scoring location profile exceeds a threshold. If the highest scoring location profile exceeds the threshold, then the computer settings for the highest scoring location profile are activated on the mobile computer. If the highest scoring location profile does not exceed the threshold, a new location profile is generated and stored for the current location signature. The new location profile is then activated on the mobile computer.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and systems of processing and managing applications for collocation space. In a computer network including a workstation, a web server, an application server, and a database, the invention assists users in completing applications for collocation space and allows for management of and preparation of responses to those applications. Generally, embodiments of the invention may include submitting and distributing collocation applications and firm orders online; allowing field personnel to respond to and monitor applications online throughout the response and provisioning process; providing notification to field groups and users via e-mail of the events affecting each application; and displaying the current status of each application.

Abstract: Progress is determined for downloading a Web Page having included objects. The method includes accessing the Web Page, and estimating a total size for the Web Page. The estimating includes reading file sizes for the objects. The file size for such an object has an association with a reference in the Web Page to the object. The reference includes a tag which has a first attribute with a source address for the object. The method further includes loading the objects for the Web Page, and presenting the estimated total size in comparison to an accumulated loaded amount of the Web Page objects. The comparison is updated at respective instances during the loading to dynamically indicate downloading progress. In another aspect, the presenting includes presenting the comparison on a browser program bar, and presenting the browser program bar on a task bar.

Abstract: Web based installation of a printer in a printers folder on a workstation for peer-to-peer communication over a network between the workstation and the printer, by downloading a printers html page to the workstation, the printers html page providing hyperlinks of printers that can be added to the workstation, selecting a hyperlink for a printer to be added to the workstation, in response to the selecting step, extracting identification information of the selected printer from the selected hyperlink and executing a component object to install the printer, wherein, the component object calls a function that automatically obtains printer configuration information and print driver information based at least in part on the extracted identification information, automatically configures the printer and installs a print driver based on the obtained printer configuration information and print driver information, and creates a locally managed instance of the printer on the workstation.

Abstract: A control system of the present invention includes at least one device, a network interconnecting the at least one device, a control network portal coupled between the network and the Internet, and a master controller coupled to the network and operable to control the operations of the Internet and the at least one device, the Internet is controllable as a device coupled to the network.

Abstract: The invention relates to the interaction between the electronic directory and sites cataloged therein. One embodiment of a directory system includes a first and second conduit, a receiver function and a global catalog. The first conduit runs between the directory and a first site and the second conduit runs between the directory and a second site. The receiver function accepts the first local catalog of directory information from the first site and the second local content catalog of directory information from the second site. The global catalog of directory information includes the first local catalog and the second local catalog.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for maintaining a connection between a server and a client by receiving a message, determining whether to store one or more elements of the message, storing the one or more elements of the message when the one or more elements of the message are to be stored, transmitting the message, and determining whether the server has failed and when the server has failed, restoring the server to a pre-failure connection state using the one or more stored message elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated, mobile method for remotely managing the resources of a job-based business through real-time allocation of the resources among a set of user-defined virtual spending accounts. The method enables the user to establish two layers of virtual accounts. One layer comprises job accounts that represent individual jobs or projects. The other layer comprises allocation accounts that represent categories of transactions such as “materials,” “labor,” “facilities,” and “insurance.” The user uses these virtual accounts in conjunction with actual accounts to track the user's transactions in real time. The user may also use the present invention to create and remotely transmit purchase orders and invoices, keep a record of employees, enter employee time sheets, process payroll, and allocate and reconcile incoming and outgoing transactions between the various virtual accounts.

Abstract: A management tool that streamlines the server allocation and provisioning processes within a data center is provided. The system, method, and computer program product divide the server provisioning and allocation into two separate tasks. Provisioning a server is accomplished by generating a fully configured, bootable system image, complete with network address assignments, virtual LAN (VLAN) configuration, load balancing configuration, and the like. System images are stored in a storage repository and are accessible to more than one server. Allocation is accomplished using a switching mechanism which matches each server with an appropriate system image based upon current configuration or requirements of the data center. Thus, real-time provisioning and allocation of servers in the form of automated responses to changing conditions within the data center is possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing electronic documents within a network. A series of processes perform electronic document capture, indexing, and searching functions within a networked environment. A graphical web-based user interface is provided to facilitate user interaction with the apparatus.

Abstract: For making a host computer automatically recognize a composite apparatus used with switching between functions thereof, the host 102 recognized whether a device is connected, based on a potential of cable data1. With switching between the functions of the apparatus, the device 100 temporarily stops supply of power to the cable data1 and restart the supply a predetermined time thereafter by R controller 205. When the supply of power is stopped, the host 102 assumes that the device is disconnected and deletes a driver for the device from a memory. When the supply of power is restarted thereafter, the host 102 recognizes the device 100 as a device having a new function, reads device information, and installs a driver suitable for the new device.

Abstract: A policy management system implements a programmable policy-based approach for managing network elements in a telecommunication network. The policy management system includes one or more policy proxies associated with the network elements and a central policy processing point in communication with the policy proxies. The policy proxies are configured to notify the policy processing point of events occurring in the network. The policy processing point is run-time programmable with one or more policies to process such events and to notify one or more of the policy proxies of actions to be taken in response thereto. The policy proxies implement these actions at the network elements they represent.

Abstract: A category name service is provided to conditionally return a category name for a data object upon request. The category name is returned is the category name is known or if the requester has subscribed for dynamic determination service, and the dynamic determination is successful. In selected embodiments, the category name service includes the dynamic determination service. In selected embodiments, the category name service also provides for the requestor to request review of a returned category name and/or request override of a returned category name. In selected embodiments, the category name service also includes the dynamic determination, review, and/or override service.

Abstract: A method of brokering network services by identifying a service which is complementary to a first service, the first service having an associated first service description comprising first service identification information identifying the service offered and first interface type information, the first interface type information comprising at least one of an input format accepted by the first service and an output format generated by the first service, the method comprising the steps of; identifying a second service having an associated second service description comprising second service identification information identifying the service offered and second interface type information which is complementary to the first interface type information, and modifying the first service description in accordance with the second service description.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer program products, and methods of doing business by improving quality of service (“QoS”) in network exchanges comprising a plurality of related request and response messages. A TQoS (“transactional QoS”) cookie is defined, which is used to store information needed when controlling response time (and perhaps other QoS factors as well) for messages exchanged with a particular client. In preferred embodiments, this QoS information comprises a relative priority for these related messages and an available bandwidth for transmitting messages to the client. The disclosed techniques enable applying consistent QoS requirements for delivery of all the related Web objects comprising a transaction. No changes are required on client devices or in client software, and there is no dependency on a client to support cookies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for transcoding content communicated in a network. The method features the step of transcoding the content based on permissible transcoding operations authorized by a content creator. The permissible transcoding operations include any transformation, alteration or manipulation of the content. The permissible transcoding operations include: a resolution reduction for reducing a resulting resolution of the content; an aspect ratio modification for specifying a maximum deformation that can be applied to the content when modifying its resolution; a color and bits per pixel modification for specifying if an image can be converted to gray scale or not, and minimum bits per pixel (bpp) or number of colors (or levels) that can be used; cropping for specifying a region of an original picture that must be preserved; and a quality reduction for allowing the content to be further modified by adding some distortions to an image. The content may be images, graphics, video or audio.

Abstract: A computer system provides, via a network, at least one telephone feature to a telephone of a user. The computer system receives instructions regarding the telephone feature via the network from a graphical user interface operating on a computer of the user. The network may include a bi-directional protocol layer and a uni-directional protocol layer. The computer system may send a refresh request to the graphical user interface to prompt the computer to request an update.

Abstract: The invention provides a low-cost, high-bandwidth file server, which is implemented in a single integrated semiconductor. High-bandwidth is achieved through the use of a shared memory buffer, protocol aware logic, and a modified network stack. The shared memory buffer allows data flow from the network to the storage device without the need of a single copy. The protocol aware logic and modified network stack also greatly improves bandwidth, while decreasing the processor workload. Another improvement allows for a smaller processor that can run at slower clock speeds, and thus requires far less silicon while using far less power than the traditional approach.

Abstract: A method and data communication system for transferring multimedia data which stores on an application server a multimedia file including a plurality groups of multimedia data. Each group has a predetermined data size. Next, the system receives a client request and reads a client address at the application server. The client address corresponds to at least one client apparatus. Next, the system strips consecutive groups from the multimedia file and buffers the stripped groups in a staging buffer. Then, the system transfers to a streaming server, consecutive groups from the staging buffer and the client address. The system then converts at the streaming server, each of the consecutive groups received from the staging buffer into a format readable by the at least one client apparatus. Finally, the streaming server sends each of the converted groups to the at least one client apparatus.

Abstract: A method of email administration including receiving in a transcoding gateway from a sender an email display capability request for a domain, wherein the capability request comprises a domain identification, finding in dependence upon the domain identification, at least one email display capability record for the domain, wherein the email display capability record for the domain comprises display capability attributes describing an email display capability for the domain, and sending at least one of the email display capability attributes to the sender.

Abstract: A network apparatus for providing performance enhancements of a communication network is disclosed. The network apparatus includes a plurality of communication interfaces that are configured to receive and to forward messages according to a prescribed protocol. The network apparatus also includes a plurality of modules configured to process the messages to effect performance enhancing functions. Further, the network apparatus includes a plurality of buffers that are configured to store the received messages and messages that are generated by one of the plurality of modules. A portion of the plurality of buffers is shared by the plurality of modules based upon execution of a particular one of the performance enhancing functions. Each of the plurality of buffers has a data structure that includes an expandable header to accommodate different message types. The present invention has particular applicability to a bandwidth constrained system, such as satellite network.

Abstract: A net database holds, for each user, user information which contains information indicating a forwarding destination (FAX, Web, portable terminal, or the like) of a received e-mail message, and information indicating a destination to which a message indicating that an e-mail message is forwarded is to be sent. A site which includes a judgment module and conversion module converts a received e-mail message into a data format matching the forwarding destination designated by the user information using the self function or in collaboration with another site. The converted data is forwarded to a mail server, Web server, or FAX server in accordance with the designated forwarding destination. When the e-mail message is forwarded via the Web server or FAX server, a message indicating this is sent to a portable terminal via the mail server.

Abstract: A method and system for generating and/or servicing requests for information requested across networks, such as the Internet, is disclosed. In some embodiments, supplemental request header information is included with HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) requests for a web page. The supplemental request header information may identify one or more characteristics of an application for which the HTTP request was generated. In further embodiments, the Internet server servicing the HTTP request having such a supplemental request header may extract and use information from this header to select and/or modify the requested web page to best suit the requesting application's status and/or current characteristic.

Abstract: An adaptive intelligent radio module (IRM) is provided in an intelligent radio design for gateways between satellite and terrestrial networks. The intelligent radio module monitors channel signal quality at the channel units of the gateway to determine whether the quality of a channel unit is below a predetermined quality threshold. If the channel quality is greater than or equal to the predetermined quality threshold, then a standard channel unit is employed, and nominal algorithms are used to process the channel. However, if the channel quality is below the quality threshold, then a high performance channel unit is used that employs complex algorithms unique to the particular quality defect of the channel quality. Various additional functions can be performed at the receive side and the transmit side of the channel units monitored by the IRM. Further, the IRM can add or enhance existing algorithms in accordance with new technology.

Abstract: A method and system enables dynamic support of memory mapping devices in a multi-node computer system. One of central process unit (CPU) nodes determines a total amount of MMIO address spaces that are needed for all MMIO devices and generates an optimized granularity to support the total amount of MMIO address spaces. Based on the granularity, a CPU node controller configures MMIO range registers of the interconnect and other MMIO registers in IO nodes and CPU node controllers to support dynamic changes of MMIO address space requirements of the system.

Abstract: A memory module includes a memory hub coupled to several memory devices. The memory hub is also coupled to receive a memory packet from a system controller containing a memory hint indicative of the subsequent operation of the memory devices. The memory module uses the hint to adjust the operation of the memory module, such as the number of pages to remain open or cache lines to be fetched.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium device includes apparatus and a computer-readable medium. To a computing device, according to a predetermined command set behavior of the computer-readable medium device, the apparatus outputs a description of first and second features of the computer-readable medium device. The first feature is other than an identification of the computer-readable medium device. The second feature is an indication of whether the computer-readable medium device executes a predetermined write strategy. From the computing device, the apparatus receives a signal. In response to the signal, the apparatus accesses the computer-readable medium, according to the first and second features.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method is provided for allocating memory bandwidth. The first method includes the steps of (1) assigning a fixed priority of access to the memory bandwidth to one or more direct memory access (DMA) machines; and (2) assigning a programmable priority of access to the memory bandwidth to a processing unit. The programmable priority of the processing unit allows priority allocation between the one or more DMA machines and the processing unit to be adjusted dynamically. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: The apparent speed with which a media work is ripped to copy the work into a visible store is substantially reduced. When the media work is played, its content is cached onto a persistent, fast access storage media. If the user subsequently decides to rip the media work, the content of the cache is copied to a visible store in substantially less time than would be required to play the media work and convert it. The user thus perceives that the media work is ripped in a substantially shorter time, compared to that required for ripping the media work in a conventional manner. The ripping process may encode or transform the format of the content to a desired format for use within the visible store. Constraints may be imposed by the user to limit the cache, or the caching process may be hidden from the user.