Abstract: A medical communications and management system (MCMS) that is operative to compile, store, retrieve and transmit digitized medical information from a variety of medical imaging modalities, as well as digital information such as scanned in images, digital photographs, audio files, and digitized information corresponding to monitored physiological conditions, such as heart rate and the like. The MCMS is further operative to include personal patient identification information, such as retinal scans and fingerprints, and is capable of being archived to thus enable such digitized information to be readily accessed. To that end, it is contemplated that the MCMS of the present invention will be used in connection with an electronic medical record and facilitate compliance with HIPAA.

Abstract: A method and system provide for management of a collection of data records. The data records have associated therewith an identifier or code that indicates the most coarse level of granularity with which the data record is associated in a hierarchy of sampling subsets created across a range of granularity levels.

Abstract: Techniques to support modification of certain data in a database during an upgrade to a new version. In one method, objects in an original database are marked as either modifiable or read-only, with changes being allowed for modifiable objects during the upgrade. An upgraded database of objects is generated based on objects in the original database (e.g., by copying objects in the original database and upgrading the copied objects to new schema and binaries). Changes to modifiable objects in the original database (e.g., after these objects have been copied) are logged. After the upgraded database has been created, objects in this database may be updated (e.g., individually or all at once) by identifying modifiable objects in the original database having changes not yet incorporated into the upgraded database and updating objects in the upgraded database based on the modified objects in the original database.

Abstract: A method for backing up data in a computer system from at least one primary data source to a secondary data source is provided. The method includes performing a full image backup on a plurality of data blocks stored by the primary data source(s). An incremental backup can then be initiated at a predetermined interval. During this incremental backup, the modification time of each file/folder at the predetermined interval can be compared to a defined time. If the modification time is earlier than the defined time, then the data blocks of that file/folder can be excluded from the incremental backup. If the modification time is later than the defined time, then the data blocks of that file/folder can be included in the incremental backup. This method can be used to provide an efficient disaster recovery using a network.

Abstract: A method and system for concurrent garbage collection wherein live memory objects, i.e., not garbage, can be marked while an application executes. Root information is gleaned by taking a snapshot program roots or by arranging the stack to be scanned during execution of the program. Next, a first marking act is performed using the root information while the program executes. Modifications in the memory structure that occur during the concurrent marking act are logged or accumulated by a write watch module. The application is then paused or stopped to perform a second marking act using information from the write watch module. Following the second marking act, the garbage collection may be completed using various techniques.

Abstract: A logarithmically-responding circuit includes a differential-input amplifier that drives the control terminal of a three-terminal device that exhibits an exponential response in its output current. This arrangement allows the third terminal to be grounded. In a preferred embodiment the three-terminal device is a bipolar junction transistor (BJT). This, and other supporting circuit features described, enable single-supply, wide-range, fully temperature-compensated operation. A compensation technique significantly reduces errors caused by the finite ohmic emitter resistance of a BJT. To support use in logarithmically compressing the current generated by a photodiode, an adaptive bias signal can provided which maintains an essentially constant bias on the photodiode's internal junction.

Abstract: To easily identify the owner of an object currently drawn on a collaboration work area, or an object already drawn thereon, to easily carry out an editing operation for the object of each owner by selectively identifying the object drawn by a particular owner. A user management table registers the node identification code and the owner identifier of a user system therein, and an object management table registers the node identification code and object information therein. Based on an event entry for an object, the node identification code of the object management table is obtained, and the owner identifier of the user management table is obtained. This owner identifier is displayed on a screen by relating it to the object.

Abstract: A method of and system for operating an electronic discussion based forum for users. The method comprising: receiving one or more topics for discussion from the users; posting the topics for discussion on the forum; receiving responses to the topics or responses to responses; posting the responses to the topic or the responses to responses on the forum; and providing periodic emails to the users of the forum indicating new responses have been posted.

Abstract: An instant message (IM) interface configured to extend a target application over an IM link of a communication network is provided according to the invention. The IM interface includes a communication interface configured to transfer a reply IM to an originating application. The IM interface further includes a processing system configured to obtain data from the target application and provide an output form to a messaging Application Programming Interface (messaging API). The output form is provided from a set of Forms Definition Language (FDL) forms. The messaging API is substantially protocol-dependent and the set of FDL forms is protocol-independent. The processing system is further configured to generate the reply IM in an originating application protocol using the data, the output form, and one or more protocol-specific libraries of the messaging API. The reply IM is an originating application protocol-specific IM.

Abstract: A set of unsolicited e-mail messages is collected and “finger printed” by either sampling the unsolicited message and using portions of the samples to form the identifier or by hashing a portion of the message. These “finger prints” are used to construct an unsolicited message database. The client's e-mail messages are processed in off-line manner by periodically fetching their messages; “finger printing” each message in a manner identical to the unsolicited messages; checking to see if the “finger print” is in the unsolicited message database; discarding any messages with a “finger print” in the unsolicited message database; and forwarding any message with a “finger print” not in the unsolicited message database to the “clean” POP server.

Abstract: A novel approach for transferring management functions between participants generally involves the use of an associate master participant that assumes responsibilities for functions assigned to the master participant if the master participant can no longer perform the functions. A participant in a communications arrangement is designated as the master participant and is responsible for performing one or more functions. Another participant from the communications arrangement is designated as an associate master participant. The associate master participant assumes the role of master participant, i.e., performs the functions previously assigned to master participant, if any of a set of handoff criteria are satisfied. The particular handoff criteria used may vary depending upon the requirements of a particular application and the invention is not limited to any particular handoff criteria.

Abstract: A data communications network may be browsed using one or more tokens by receiving an input keyword string from a user, determining whether there is a match between the input keyword string and a database of keyword strings, determining a category of the keyword string, rendering to the user at least one service identifier associated with the category, receiving a user-selected service identifier in response to the rendering, substituting at least one variable in a resource locator template associated with the service with a string based at least in part on the keyword string entered by the user and launching the resource locator. According to one aspect, a special rendering of a hyperlink corresponding to the resource locator is used to indicate private data will be disclosed upon launching the resource locator.

Abstract: A system allows subscribers quickly to self-activate network-based services by automatically configuring network elements. A service provider preconfigures a state machine on a core server. At the time of self-activation, activations are sent to policy distribution points (PDPs) that translate the activations into device-specific instructions, which in turn configure network elements to provide services. The speed of self-activation is increased by generating activations faster in the core server, by translating activations into device-specific instructions faster in the PDPs, and by separating the configuration of the network elements from complex registration steps. Initiation steps that configure network elements are performed faster by an initiation module that reads from, but does not write to, databases. Subscribers perform dynamic service selection using the initiation module.

Abstract: A network switch having a unified, adaptive management paradigm for wireless network devices is disclosed. The switch includes configurable ports for connecting devices. A software application running on the switch allows a network administrator to selectively configure each port to support either a wired device or wireless device. Configuration information and software images that are needed for operation of the wireless device are associated with the port. When a wireless device is first plugged into the switch port, it downloads its configuration directly from the switch port. By storing the configuration information and images at the switch and automatically downloading them to the wireless devices, the task of configuring the devices is greatly simplified for the network administrator. This is particularly advantageous in heterogeneous network environments that support both wired and wireless devices, and where wireless device are readily moved to different ports.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multimedia communication between end systems in IP environments and more particularly it relates to the problem that all services concerning processing of media streams are bundled. The solution, according to the invention is a communications system in which a service is publicly available by any end system via a published Uniform Resource Identifier (URI).

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product are presented for management of a distributed data processing system on behalf of a plurality of management customers. A set of logical networks within the distributed data processing system and/or a set of physical networks in the distributed data processing system are associated with an anchor object. A topology map can be generated and displayed in which a root node of the topology map is the anchor object. Each anchor object is uniquely associated with a customer for which the distributed data processing system is managed. The topology display can be restricted such that portions of topology information are displayed to an administrative user in accordance with the authorized security access of the user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for handling requests in a data processing system. A plurality of processes is provided to handle the requests. Each of the plurality of processes is assigned to handle requests from a subset of foreign ports within a plurality of foreign ports such that a set of foreign ports assigned to a process is unique with respect to other subsets of foreign ports within the plurality of foreign ports. A foreign port is identified in a request in response to receiving the request. The request is sent to a process assigned the subset of foreign ports having a match to the foreign port in the request, wherein the process handles the request.

Abstract: A system for remotely monitoring an individual. The system includes a server system for generating a script program from a set of queries. The script program is executable by a remote apparatus that displays information and/or a set of queries to the individual through a user interface. Responses to the queries that are entered through the user interface together with individual identification information are sent from the remote apparatus to the server system across a communication network. The server system also includes an automated answering service for providing a series of questions from a stored set of questions for an individual at the remote apparatus to respond to, storing responses to each provided question in the series of questions and providing a service based on the individual's response to the questions.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are directed towards enabling auditing of network vulnerabilities from multiple network vantage points virtually simultaneously. Multiple network vantage points may include, but are not limited to, remote/branch enterprise sites, devices on an enterprise perimeter, on either side of a security perimeter, and even through the security perimeter. In one embodiment, an auditor performs reflected audits thereby extending auditing of network vulnerabilities to provide a comprehensive 360 degree audit of internal, external, and remote enterprise network sites. In one embodiment, the present invention may be implemented employing a single auditing device, and one or more audit extension devices that are configured to extend the auditing device's audit reach. The auditing device and one or more audit extension devices may communicate using an encrypted network channel through a security perimeter and/or across multiple networks.

Abstract: A scalable networking protocol that allows multiple nodes to communicate via a multi-channel network medium is described. The networking protocol allows any node on the network to assign itself as the active network server. The active network server polls client nodes based on a lineup card. The lineup card includes a high priority queue for low-latency devices, and a low priority queue for devices that can tolerate higher latencies. Network information is sent on the channels as fragments. The protocol provides bad-channel detection and retransmission of fragments in a fragment-by-fragment basis. Support for streaming data or asynchronous data is provided by allocating time slots on the network and allowing two intelligent nodes to talk directly to each other during count-limited token sessions, as arbitrated by the active network server.

Abstract: A troubleshooting portal method for providing connectivity between a first communication device and a second communication device. The second communication device resides in an access provider communication system. One embodiment comprises receiving a specification from a user by the first communication device, the specification comprising at least one predefined identifier that identifies the second communication device, and receiving a request to establish connectivity between the user and the second communication device; associating the predefined identifier with said second communication device; establishing connectivity between the first communication device and the second communication device based upon the specified predefined identifier; receiving at least troubleshooting data and a test from the user; and communicating the received troubleshooting data and the test to the second device.

Abstract: A method and system for resource sharing in a communication network supporting a plurality of application environments. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention discloses a method ensuring only sufficient computational resources are used by a multi-component system as needed to meet system, subsystem, and/or component-level service level objectives. Demand values are calculated for a plurality of components in an application environment. The demand values are calculated from throughput and utilization metrics collected at each of the plurality of components. Response time metrics are predicted from the demand values. The application environment is modeled in response to the response time metrics to determine the optimum number of computational resources needed for each of the components in satisfying a functional objective.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for facilitating efficient assignment of networked resources. In one embodiment, a resource assignment method is utilized to assist network resource assignment operations. The resource assignment method establishes a resource model, acquires an application model, and utilizes a mapping process to map said application model onto said resource model. In one exemplary implementation the resources are assigned to optimize the assignment of resources with respect to application requirements and desired objectives (e.g., minimization of the average communication delay inside a service core). In one exemplary implementation, a mapping process of a resource assignment method is utilized to map an application onto part of IDC topology.

Abstract: A load balancer for a network processor has load balance control units that are multistage-connected in series with each other. When distribution destinations of input information concentrates into a specific network processor by distribution process executed by a load balance control unit, the load balance control unit of next stage execute the distribution process about the input information distributed to the specific network processor.

Abstract: An improved networked computer communications system handles arbitrary streams of data, and transports at varying speeds those streams where intermediate updates can be dropped if they are obsoleted by later arriving data updates, optimizing the utilization of network and node resources. Complex buffering by system server software allows distributed, parallel, or redundant processing, transmission, and storage for performance, reliability, and robustness. Various parameters of the system can be monitored, and the system can be reconfigured automatically based on the observations. Varied techniques reduce the perceived end-to-end latency and take advantage of software and hardware capabilities that assets connected to the system may possess. One conferencing system allows conference participants to share all or a portion of the display seen on their computer screens. The conferees may be at sites removed from each other, or may view a recorded presentation or archived conference at different times.

Abstract: A business or social networking method is operative in a server. The method enables mobile device users to meet one another, on a permission basis. The determination of whether a given pair of mobile device users are introduced depends on whether the server determines they are in intellectual or “cognitive” proximity, which is typically a function of one or more factors, such as: each user's reciprocal networking objective, the nature of the industry in which the user works, the user's level within the management hierarchy of his or her company, any specialty function the individual may possess, and so on. Individuals who are matched in one or more of such attributes to a given degree or threshold are said to be in intellectual proximity. According to the invention, when given mobile devices users are within physical proximity of one another during an overlapping time window, the server determines whether the users are also within a given intellectual proximity.

Abstract: A method for operating a portal system includes providing a first instruction that is operable to cause the portal system to behave in a first way. A second instruction that is operable to cause the portal system to behave in a second way is provided. A first condition is defined using an editor. The first condition is associated with the first instruction. A request from a client system is received at the portal system for a session to access the portal system, the request being associated with given user information. Whether or not the first condition is satisfied is determined using the user information associated with the request. The portal system is caused to behave in the first way according to the first instruction if the first condition is satisfied, wherein the portal system behaves in the first way for the entire session.

Abstract: System, method, and computer program products for implementing techniques for efficient delivery of variable bit rate streaming media assets having a variety of data formats. An embodiment provides delivery system for use in client server computer architecture in which server provides streaming media assets to at least one client over computer network, wherein media assets can have plurality of data formats, including a packet producer that acquires a streaming media asset in packetized form and places time stamps on packets that specify delivery time for each packet, a time stamp packet queue containing the packets with time stamps in a first in, first out order; and a feeder module that removes packets from the time stamp packet queue and transmits the removed packets to a client via the computer network, transmission for each packet concluded at least by the specified delivery time in each packet.

Abstract: A plurality of wireless clients that can operate in a shared manner using a contention based protocol are placed into a contention free mode of operation that prevents the wireless clients from initiating a data transfer. Once the wireless clients are prevented from initiating access to the wireless network, a video gateway can transmit video content in a deterministic manner to one or more of the plurality of wireless clients.

Abstract: A computer system provides streaming media to a plurality of clients over a network. The system includes a proxy module that forwards streaming media from a first streaming media source to a network server module that is communicating to the plurality of client terminals. The proxy module is comunicatable with the network server module to be signaled a switch request. In response to the switch request, the proxy module forwards streaming media from a second streaming media source to the network server module while the network server module is signaling streaming media from the first streaming media source to the plurality of client terminals.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method for modeling the memory of a streaming media server is provided. The method comprises creating a segment-based access model for at least one streaming media file available on a streaming media server, and using the segment-based access model to construct a segment-based model of the media server's memory. In certain embodiments, a system comprises a server comprising a memory having a capacity, the server operable to serve at least one streaming file to clients communicatively coupled thereto. The system further comprises a controller operable to determine an amount of unique bytes of the at least one streaming file served by the server during an elapsed time interval, wherein the amount of unique bytes are equal to the capacity of the server's memory.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving network throughput in a packet ties to network communication environment. In one aspect here of, delays associated with retransmission of a packet or reduced to improve total performance and bandwidth utilization on the communication network medium. A roundtrip time parameter of TCP/IP communications networks may be adjusted according to actual measured response time of a successful packet transmission and used as a timeout value to detect a possible packet loss sooner than previous techniques. Another aspect hereof provides for dynamically adjusting estimated available bandwidth of the communication medium. The estimated available bandwidth is then useful to better avoid congestion on the medium and the resulting packet loss.

Abstract: A message relay device suitable for contructing a ultra-high-speed message relaying system is disclosed. In the message relay device, a flow is detected by a prescribed condition, while a bypass channel capable of transferring messages with an amount of calculations smaller than the case of handling messages by a default channel is set up, and the message transfer belonging to the flow is switched from the default channel to the bypass channel, while providing the connection-less communications on the default channel, so that it is possible to realize the message relaying with the ultra-high throughput by relieving the large amount of calculations inherently associated with the connection-less communications.

Abstract: A system, method and media for a service oriented architecture. This description is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures and the claims.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the lookup time in packet forwarding on computer networks. A first lookup is performed in a memory tree to find a first protocol forwarding entry in the memory tree. The forwarding entry includes first protocol (e.g., EGP) information and cached associated second protocol (e.g., IGP) information. Both EGP and IGP information are retrievable with the first lookup and used in the determination of an EGP route for the data packet. If the cached IGP information has been invalidated due to address updates, a second lookup can be performed to find an original IGP entry in the memory tree, the information from which can be cached in the EGP forwarding entry if a background maintenance task has finished designating all the EGP entries as having out-of-date caches.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus and a method that selects the optimum location of a service on the Internet according to the user's geo-location and the configuration of the invention by transparently altering the DNS messages. In the preferred embodiment, the invention operates at OSI model's data link layer and it is located in front of the DNS server so that it does not require any modification in the existing DNS or IP network setup or on the application servers. It provides a fast and transparent method of locating an Internet service without the overhead of server scripts, HTTP redirects, or extra steps by the user to find the desired location or content.

Abstract: The present application discloses methods and systems for configuring and managing class-based condensation. One aspect thereof includes an automated mechanism to receive a user request for a document, retrieve the document from a content server, and compare the document to a base file of a document class. If a delta-difference between the requested document and the base file is less than a predetermined threshold value, create a condensed document by abbreviating redundancy in the requested document relative to the base file of the associated document class, associate the document with the document class, and transmit the condensed document to the user. The documents within a document class possess similar layouts.

Abstract: A relative address protocol for communicating message packets along a linear chain network or quasi-linear chain network is disclosed. The protocol includes a relative destination address field that includes a counter having a preselected initial value at a source node. The initial value is a function of the desired number of node hops that the message packet should travel from the source node. The counter is adjusted in value at each subsequent node by a preselected step in value. When the counter value reaches a trigger value the message packet is accepted by a destination node. In a preferred embodiment, a relative source address field stores the initial value so that the destination node may return a status message to the source node.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer products that improve the performance of computer-implemented I/O operations for complex applications, such as a database, that are ported to target computer systems that are not tailored to support the high-performance services that may benefit applications. Complex applications, such as a database, often manage I/O access operations by a caching mechanism that is tailored to the needs of the application. When porting an application to a target computer system that does not support certain I/O access features, I/O performance of the application may be limited. The present invention may be implemented by introducing specialized I/O access features that are tailored to enhance I/O access performance for complex applications, such as a database.

Abstract: Disclosed are a communication device and a method of controlling the same, whereby it is possible to change the device name independently in such a manner that a plurality of communication devices having the same name will not exist on the same wireless communication network. The communication device queries another device with regard to its name and determines whether its own name and the name of the other device are the same. If the two names are the same, the querying communication device generates a name different from that of the other device using, e.g., its own wireless communication address, thereby changing its name. As a result, even if new devices are added to the network, the querying communication device automatically assigns to itself a name that is always different from those of these other devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network subscriber station and to a method for operating a network subscriber station for a network of distributed stations, particularly a network of IEEE 1394 network subscriber stations, which are connected by means of a data bus. The network subscriber station comprises at least three memory areas for operation-dependent interface configuration data and pointer means, which comprise electronic pointers to the at least three memory areas, and driver means for handling electronic data in the at least three memory areas and for electronic data transfer between the at least three memory areas.

Abstract: Enclosed re-programmable non-volatile memory cards include at least two sets of electrical contacts to which the internal memory is connected. The two sets of contacts have different patterns, preferably in accordance with two different contact standards such as a memory card standard and that of the Universal Serial Bus (USB). One memory card standard that can be followed is that of the Secure Digital (SD) card. The cards can thus be used with different hosts that are compatible with one set of contacts but not the other. A cover that is hinged to the card to normally cover one set of contacts can be rotated out of the way by hand when that set of contacts is being used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for viewing on a client device document data representing at least a part of a document to be printed. The method includes transferring the document to be printed from a client device to a print server, converting at the print server the document to be printed into document data, and transferring the document data from the print server to the client device. The document data are at least part of a raster image file obtained by a raster conversion function, the raster conversion function being used to print the document.

Abstract: A technique for reducing information reception delays is provided. The technique reduces delays that may be caused by protocols that guarantee order and delivery, such as TCP/IP. The technique creates multiple connections between a sender and recipient computing devices and sends messages from the sender to the recipient on the multiple connections redundantly. The recipient can then use the first arriving message and ignore the subsequently arriving redundant messages. The recipient can also wait for a period of time before determining which of the arrived messages to use. The technique may dynamically add connections if messages are not consistently received in a timely manner on multiple connections. Conversely, the technique may remove connections if messages are consistently received in a timely manner on multiple connections. The technique can accordingly be used with applications that are intolerant of data reception delays such as Voice over IP, real-time streaming audio, or real-time streaming video.

Abstract: A port adapter for connecting zero or more network interfaces to a host system having a SPI-4 bus is disclosed. The port adapter comprises zero or more network interfaces; a SPI-4 bus coupled to a host system to provide a communication channel between the host and the network interfaces; a control bus coupled to the host system for controlling and monitoring the port adapter; and interface logic that interfaces the SPI-4 bus and the control bus to the network interfaces. Methods are provided for selecting and using one of a small plurality of different packet formats for various networking technologies, so that the port adapter can hide details of the technology that it handles from the host system, and for operating the host system's SPI-4 bus at one of several speeds based on bandwidth requirements of the port adapter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating the interoperability of devices with varying capabilities are disclosed. A host device may inquire as to the capabilities of a storage device in a storage network. A routing device may receive this response, and if the routing device has a higher capability than the storage device the routing device may convert the response to a response that reflects the higher capabilities of the routing device before sending the response on to the host. However, if the storage device has a higher capability than the routing device, the routing device may pass the response through to the host unaltered so the host may take advantage of the capabilities of the storage device. Alternatively, the router may convert the response to a response that reflects the lower capabilities of the routing device before sending the response on to the host.

Abstract: The dynamic VBUS power source provides a system and method for dynamically powering USB devices. Briefly described, one embodiment is a method comprising determining when the USB device is a master device or a slave device, powering the USB device over a USB connector using a power unit when the USB device is the slave device, and powering a second USB device over the USB connector using the USB device when the USB device is the master device.

Abstract: Techniques for extending memory addressing with more accessing range are disclosed. According to one aspect of the techniques, an apparatus for extending addressing space comprises a plurality of extended memories, each being allocated an unique identifier, a direct addressing memory reserving a data cell as a public identifier cell for receiving the identifier of each of the extended memories to be accessed, a decision unit determining that which one of the extended memories is to be accessed by comparing an identifier received by the public identifier cell with the identifier of each of the extended memories, and a mapping unit mapping one of the extended memories determined by the decision unit to be accessed onto the direct addressing memory so that the one of the extended memories can be indirectly accessed by directly accessing the direct addressing memory.

Abstract: A data storage device is provided. A disk device is combined with a non-volatile memory device to provide much shorter write access time and much higher data write speed than can be achieved with a disk device alone. Interleaving bursts of sector writes between the two storage devices can effectively eliminate the effect of the seek time of the disk device. Following a non-contiguous logical address transition from a host system, the storage controller can perform a look-ahead seek operation on the disk device, while writing current data to the non-volatile memory device. Such a system can exploit the inherently faster write access characteristics of a non-volatile memory device, eliminating the dead time normally caused by the disk seek time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microcomputer wherein in a system which needs to respond to events developed at intervals each shorter than an erase/program process time, erase/programming can be effected on an on-chip non-volatile memory as necessary during its processing. An erase and program control program for an electrically erasable and programmable non-volatile memory is configured inclusive of a loop of the application of a high voltage pulse and data verify or the like, for example. If a program jumped to a subroutine for an address specified by a user is programmed in advance during this loop, then a process by a CPU can be temporarily jumped to the subroutine for the user defined address. Thus, erase and programming can be effected on a system which needs to confirm internal and external events every predetermined intervals or a system with a learning function, or the like during the execution of a user program.