Abstract: Floating-point processors capable of performing multiply-add (Madd) operations and incorporating improved intermediate result handling capability. The floating-point processor includes a multiplier unit coupled to an adder unit. In a specific operating mode, the intermediate result from the multiplier unit is processed (i.e., rounded but not normalized or denormalized) into representations that are more accurate and easily managed in the adder unit. By processing the intermediate result in such manner, accuracy is improved, circuit complexity is reduced, operating speed may be increased.

Abstract: A programmable logic integrated circuit device (“PLD”) includes programmable logic and a dedicated (i.e., at least partly hard-wired) digital signal processing region for performing or at least helping to perform digital signal processing tasks that are unduly inefficient to implement in the more general-purpose programmable logic and/or that, if implemented in the programmable logic, would operate unacceptably or at least undesirably slowly. The digital signal processing region may include multiple digital signal processing stages. The digital signal processing region may include a multiplier stage and one or more stages that can operate in combination with the multiplier stage. The digital signal processing region has a plurality of modes such as for providing multiply-and-accumulate operation, multiply-and-add operation, etc.

Abstract: A transverse form analog finite impulse response filter. The filter has an input and an output. A first set of passive delay elements connected in serial to the input, and a second set of passive delay elements are connected in serial to the output. Transconductors are connected in parallel with the first plurality of passive delay elements and the second plurality of passive delay elements. A set of buffer amplifiers is connected to the passive delay elements in the first set of passive delay elements and in the set of passive delay elements. The buffer amplifiers cause a reduction in loss in the passive delay elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting data frames, and a method and apparatus for data rate matching wherein, via an interleaver, elements to be transmitted are distributed over a plurality of radio frames and repeated, the repetition being carried out in such a way that, when put into its relationship with the original arrangement of the elements before the interleaving, the pattern prevents the spacing between arbitrary consecutive repeated elements from being substantially greater than the mean repetition spacing.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a consistent interface with different system products or software solutions includes one or more system units or machines wherein the different system products or software solutions (instruments) reside. A service request can be made to an instrument gateway associated with a particular system unit or machine that includes an instrument that can service the request. The instrument gateway selects an instrument sponsor associated with that particular instrument to invoke the requested service from that particular instrument.

Abstract: Server appliances provide context management functionality in the healthcare field and other fields. The server appliances may present themselves on a network as one or more World Wide Web sites accessible to applications whose context is managed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing network content distribution using a personal server approach is disclosed. A receiving client is provided with a personal server that can select, aggregate, and organize one or more channels of content in a virtual display space of the client. Selection, aggregation, and organization information is stored only locally. Raw data representing content is stored at a logically separate server across a network. Periodically the personal server requests updated content from the server and stores the content in a local channel database. The personal server synthesizes or generates one or more electronic documents containing the content, based on user-defined virtual space specifications and page organization information. The personal server then presents the electronic documents to a browser or other client element.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing system according to the invention is made up of a server apparatus and its terminals connected over a local area network that is administered independently in a limited area. In the system, any one of the terminals may generate a reproduction request and send it to the server apparatus over the LAN. In response to the request, the server apparatus reproduces video data from a storage medium installed therein and sends the reproduced video data to the requesting terminal over the LAN. In this manner, a user may reproduce video data and enjoy images thereof by remotely operating the server apparatus with ease from any terminal configured in the system.

Abstract: A method is designed for searching contents information presented by a plurality of information sites over a network based on a query sent from a client terminal to a searching server through the network.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium for providing asynchronous validation of data entered into a field within a user interface is described. The method on a client information processing system provides two or more fields for entry of data within a client application. A field is a text field, button, menu or any other graphical user interface widget for entering data. Data entered into a first field is received. The client application automatically initiates the determination of whether the data entered into the first field is valid while concurrently allowing entry of data into other fields. This determination may be made in conjunction with a server application on a remote server information processing system. This step is repeated for all fields provided. Upon a finding that all data entered into the two or more fields is valid, the entered data is provided to the server information processing system.

Abstract: Simplified sharing of information among service-provision systems. A first message (Msg1) containing service information is transmitted from a first service-provision server (2a) to a first service controller (11a) [#1], wherein it is interpreted, and, for example, a second message (Msg2) is created from the service information contained in the first message (Msg1) and is transmitted to a message router (12) [#2]. The second message (Msg2) is further sent to a router controller (14) and interpreted [#3], and an action rule is determined [#4]. The action rule is executed by the message router (12), whereby the second message (Msg2) is transmitted to a second service controller (11b) [#5]. As a result, a portion of the service information contained in the second message (Mesg2) is extracted, and a third message (Msg3) is created and transmitted to a second service-provision server (2b) [#6].

Abstract: A system for conducting a virtual audio-visual conference between two or more users comprising two or more client stations each acting as a signal source and destination for each respective user, having a user interface for audio-visual input and output including audio signal reception and generation means for receiving and generating audio signals, one or more servers, and a network coupling the client stations and the servers, wherein each user is represented as a corresponding movable visual symbol displayed on the user interfaces of all coupled client stations and the audio signal of all users is generated at each client station with an attenuation according to the spatial position of the respective symbols on the user interfaces and according to the direction in which each movable visual symbol of each signal source is oriented on the user interface.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein enables a collection of computers and associated communications infrastructure to offer a new communications process which allows information providers to broadcast information to a population of information consumers. The information may be targeted to those consumers who have a precisely formulated need for the information. This targeting may be based on information which is inaccessible to other communications protocols. The targeting also includes a time element. Information can be brought to the attention of the consumer precisely when it has become applicable, which may occur immediately upon receipt of the message, but may also occur long after the message arrives. The communications process may operate without intruding on consumers who do not exhibit the precisely-specified need for the information, and it may operate without compromising the security or privacy of the consumers who participate.

Abstract: Asynchronous, networked publication and collaborative communication system and method comprise a secure website managed by one organization to which authorized members of a team can connect using an Internet browser program. News content is developed on the website using selected webpage templates, which news content is then published to pre-established end points sponsored by another organization and broadcast to selected persons. Alternatively the news content can be developed within the sponsoring organization when at least one authorized member is not affiliated with the sponsoring organization. Preferably, at least one is connected to a database to archive news content.

Abstract: In accordance with a method embodiment of the present invention, a method for visually navigating through a plurality of virtual meetings is disclosed. The method may include displaying a hierarchical representation of the plurality virtual meetings having interconnected nodes, wherein each node of the hierarchical representation represents a subset of the plurality of virtual meetings. The method may further include that a node at the lowest order in the hierarchical representation is an individual virtual meeting and higher order nodes are an accumulation of all virtual meetings within lower order nodes that are interconnected with the higher order node. The method may also include moving within the hierarchical representation to obtain information about one or more of the plurality of virtual meetings, switching between views and selecting and searching amongst a plurality of views using a Boolean combination of such views.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying an offline global computer network user of an online interaction in which the offline user could participate. The system and method specify notification criteria of the offline user, monitor activities occurring on the global computer network, compare the activities to the notification criteria, and, if the activities satisfy the notification criteria, forward an offline communication to the offline user, which notifies the offline user of the online interaction. Examples of the online interactions include chat rooms, game sites, instant messaging services, auctions, and calls made over the global computer network. Examples of the offline communication include calls to a wireline telephone, calls to a wireless telephone, messages to a caller identification device, messages to a wireless access protocol device, messages to a one-way pager, and messages to an interactive pager.

Abstract: A net database retains, for each user, information about a portable terminal and user information including designation of a destination of electronic mail. A determination module determines whether the contents of electronic mail received by a mail server are displayable at the portable terminal of a destination user. If it is determined that the contents are displayable, the electronic mail is sent to the portable terminal of the destination user. If it is determined that the contents are not displayable, the determination module determines the destination of the electronic mail in accordance with the user information. A conversion module converts the electronic mail data into a form outputtable at the destination. The converted data is provided to the destination apparatus, and a notification representing this is notified to the portable terminal.

Abstract: A method and a system for managing and retrieving data within an electronic mail editor and/or an application external of the electronic mail editor are provided. In conventional systems, a user needs to sieve through their e-mail messages to locate messages of a same subject and thereafter to identify a most current or his required information. In the present invention, a reference data tag is inserted in an e-mail message and is linked to tag values stored in an appropriate database. The data tag may have one or more instances inserted in other messages at different times and assigned a different data tag value at the time of insertion. The data tag may be represented by similar indicia. To retrieve a most current value among the different values, a user merely accesses any of the indicia in any of the messages.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a remote control system based on the Internet and a method thereof utilizing an IPAC (Internet Protocol Adapter/Converter) module which collects data and forms an interface with the peripheral devices which are executing tasks through the electrical connection of arbitrary analog/digital signals, in accordance with signals are programmed by the users. If this programmed commands and controlled results are recognized by a target device, the IPAC uploads the data to the Internet and controls, transmits and receives the data in sequence in order to store to a NxtView server of the website. The system according to this present invention remotely controls various devices through the Internet and comprises NxtView IPACs installed in each of the various devices, a NxtView server connected to the IPACs through the Internet, the clients connected to the server through the Internet and a means for transmitting the status of each device connected to the server.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for delivering an indication of an email message's arrival. The email message is received and identifies at least an addressee. The addressee is looked up in a database that associates multiple addressees to a shared Internet Protocol address. The shared Internet Protocol address is retrieved and a message is sent to the shared Internet Protocol address. The message identifies the addressee of the email message and includes instructions for indicating arrival of the message at the addressee.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing information about a current state that is modeled with multiple state attributes. In some situations the providing includes receiving from a first client an indication of an interest in receiving values for an indicated one of the state attributes of the modeled current state, receiving from a second client an indication of an interest in receiving values for another of the state attributes of the modeled current state, and, in response to receiving a value for the indicated one attribute from a first source, determining that the first client has an interest in receiving the received value and supplying the received value to the first client.

Abstract: A NAS switch provides file migrations in a NAS storage network that are transparent to the clients. A source file server exports an original NAS file handles indicative of object locations on the source file server to the NAS switch. The NAS switch modifies the original NAS file handles to an internal file system and maps the original NAS file handles to a switch file handles independent of location. The NAS switch exports the switch file handles to a client. The client looks-up objects and makes NAS requests to the source file server using switch file handles. The NAS switch performs file migration by first replicating the namespace containing data to be migrated from source file server to a destination file server. Separately, the NAS replicates data which is a relatively longer process than the namespace replication. During data replication, namespace access requests for objects are directed to the replicated namespace.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that allows a user to access life event information. Publicly accessible computer kiosks are provided. An individual user may make selections on the publicly accessible computer as to information or data the user is interested in viewing. The selection may be made by activating one of a number of touch screen buttons. The user may be directed to an ultimate item of information by going through a succession of screens that narrow the user's selection. When the user has identified an item of information the request is routed through a life event server to an appropriate content server. A content server may be a computer of a government entity where life event information is stored. The content server selects the requested information and returns it to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for a virtual mailbox, in which a user e-mail identity, such as an e-mail address for example, is decoupled from any specific e-mail account, or optionally from any specific action required to authorize the user of the e-mail address to access messages on the server, for example to send or receive messages.

Abstract: A method and system for presenting a requested web page selected from a plurality of web pages is provided and includes the step of performing at least one processing task associated with the requested web page. Next, at least one content bean for retrieving content required for the requested web page is invoked. Next, the content required for the requested web page is stored in at least one model bean. Next, the content from said at least one model bean is received. Next, at least one view bean for rendering said requested web page is invoked. Finally, the requested web page including the content is presented.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically presenting personalized content are disclosed. Articles may be collected, each article having content, attributes of the content, and content metadata characterizing individual elements of the content. The articles may be filtered, sorted and prioritized for each of a plurality of users, leaving an individualized subset of articles for a user. The subset may then be formatted for the user based on a capacity of a system of the user, the system capacity including rendering media available to the user system and/or an amount of presentation space available on the user system. In this way, a user may receive articles which are of the most interest to that user, in a format that is most convenient or preferable to the user.

Abstract: Network bundles may be processed in a distributed network having a decentralized serving structure. The message bundles may be modified to include a client address. Additionally, each message bundle comprises a plurality of sub-messages, and each sub-message may contain either a link to the output of another sub-message, or a network address. A network device may be implemented to gather responses to the sub-messages from various servers and to organize the responses into a final response to send to the client.

Abstract: A secure storage system for securely accessing a storage device on a network and improving volume management scalability, consisting of a client having a VPN capability; a storage device in an SAN; a management apparatus having a means for managing a storage capacity and a logical volume allocated to the storage device; a converter for converting a protocol used in the SAN to a protocol used in a LAN/MAN/WAN and vice versa; and a conversion apparatus having the VPN capability. A VPN is provided between the client and the conversion apparatus. The conversion apparatus is provided with a mapping between the VPN and an access range of the storage device. A VPN-ID is used for identifying the VPN. An address in the logical volume is used for the access range of the storage device.

Abstract: A novel real time internet communication system is disclosed. It is a novel way for users to collaborate on the fly, and without having to own or download any programs that then stay resident on the user's computer. It is marketed under a novel business system that makes highly productive software available to businesses and end users, but which is not purchased by customers or end users, has no conventional distribution system, and never requires update, installation or rollout by the customer or end user.

Abstract: A method of performing automatic Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) firmware download, includes: obtaining, by either a network-connected device (i.e., DHCP) or user (i.e., command file), a configuration file, where the configuration file includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address of a target device and a file name of a target file in the target device; retrieving a software image from the target file; determining if there is a match between the software image from the target file and another software image currently running on the device; and downloading to the network-connected device the software image from the target file if the software image is compatible and different from the software image currently in the device.

Abstract: All the devices connected to a network are detected and profiles comprising information relating to categories of the detected devices are extracted. Integrated profile comprising information obtained by integrating the profiles of the devices is created. A table containing priority rankings for the use of the devices is created. A user interface enabling necessary categories to be selected from the categories which comprise the integrated profile is created, the execution conditions required by the user are input via this user interface and a device to be used is selected out of all the devices based on the selected categories and the table containing the priority rankings.

Abstract: A configurable fibre channel (FC) loop system is provided that may be used to couple mass storage devices to input/output (I/O) controllers in a data storage system. The system may include first and second port bypass systems (PBPS). Each PBPS may include FC protocol network sections having nodes that may be configured into different numbers of loops that may be used to couple the devices to the controllers.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for contract-based aggregation. Initially, records indicative of network events are received. Such records are received in an aggregator for the purpose of aggregating the records. Thereafter, contracts associated with the records are identified. The records are subsequently aggregated based at least in part on the contracts using the aggregator.

Abstract: A load balancing service for a plurality of customers performs load balancing among a plurality of customer Web servers. Requests for Web content are load balanced across the customer Web servers. The load balancing service provider charges a fee to the customers for the load balancing service. A caching service is also provided that comprises a plurality of caching servers connected to a network. The caching servers host customer content that can be cached and stored, e.g., images, video, text, and/or software. The caching servers respond to requests for Web content from clients. The load balancing service provider charges a fee to the customers for the Web caching service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating policies for use in policy-based management of quality of service treatments of network data traffic flows are described. The policies are defined based on information about types of network traffic flows generated by an application program, and information about quality of service functions that are available in devices of the network. In one embodiment, application information is received that defines one or more traffic flows generated by an application program, including information identifying one or more points at which an application generates the traffic flows, from a first individual having responsibility for managing enterprise applications in the network. Further, QoS information is received that defines one of more quality of service treatments that the network device may apply to data processed by the network device, from a second individual having responsibility for managing the network.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and managing a computing service are disclosed. In one embodiment, an agent is installed at each of a plurality of clients. These agents periodically test performance of services of one or more application servers over a network. The agents then transmit the results of the tests to a management server. The management server also receives information regarding actual services delivered to users from the one or more application servers. Customers may then access the management server to obtain system information.

Abstract: A computer network has links for carrying data among computers, including one or more client computers. Packet loss rates are determined for the client computers and, based on the loss rates, a number of possible sets of solutions for the loss rates at each of the links are generated. The sets of possible solutions are subjected to a statistical analysis. Based on the results of the analysis, a determination is made regarding which of the links are excessively lossy.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a protocol control block is speculatively pre-fetched from an external memory unit.

Abstract: A system and method for improving or maintaining the quality of service delivered by a network with respect to a preferred type of information carried by the network. The status of the network is monitored to determine if the actual or projected quality of service being provided by the network for the preferred information meets a quality of service requirement. If the quality of service does not meet the requirement, a message is formulated and sent to an end-user terminals such as a wireless handset. The message instructs the terminal to change a parameter by which the terminal sends information to the network. For example, the message can instruct the terminal to send less non-preferred information to the network, or change the compression scheme used to send a type of information to the network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and apparatus for efficient and reliable, control and distribution of data files or portions of files, applications, or other data objects in large-scale distributed networks. A unique content-management front-end provides efficient controls for triggering distribution of digitized data content to selected groups of a large number of remote computer servers. Network distribution messages are dispatched according to a sorted list of servers, based on factors such as nearness, server processor speed, reliability, and CPU Usage. For large numbers of servers, a store-and-forward approach becomes much more efficient. A first selected server receives the message from a content control manager (CCM). The first server requests instructions for the next server listed on an ordered list in the CCM and forwards a copy of that message to the next identified server. Each server reports its completion and requests further instructions from the CCM.

Abstract: An electronic service system is formed by a main site server system and a partner site server system. The main site server system carries out a remote updating of contents of tie-up pages at the partner site server system, when the authentication between the main site server system and the partner site server system succeeds. The partner site server system maintains tie-up pages related to a partnership between the main site and the partner site, and original pages of the partner site.

Abstract: A system and methods are shown for selecting a packet data serving node (PDSN) for a mobile node in an Internet Protocol network. A network node receives a message associated with a mobile node. The message includes a service request parameter corresponding to a requested service. The network node uses the service request parameter to select the address of a packet data serving node (PDSN) offering the service. The network node then sends a response message directing a connection with the selected PDSN. The service request parameter may be an international mobile subscriber identifier (IMSI) that identifies a subscriber requesting a static IP address, in which case the network node directs a connection with a PDSN that offers an. Internet connection with the static IP address.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program for implementing a storage management system for limiting management operation of a storage network element by determining whether the storage network element is related to a host computer and determining whether the management operation is restricted based on the host computer and the time at which the management operation is to be conducted. The invention is set forth in a system including a network, a plurality of storage network elements connected to the network, and the storage management system, connected to the network, for controlling storage management operation of the storage network elements in response to operation requests from users of the storage management system. Each of the storage network elements is related to at least one of a plurality of host computers and information of these relations is used to determine whether a management operation can be conducted on the storage network element.

Abstract: A system and method are described for selecting a server to handle a connection. The method includes receiving at a service manager a connection request intercepted by a network device having a forwarding agent that is operative to receive instructions from a service manager, the connection request having been forwarded from the forwarding agent on the network device to the service manager. A preferred server is selected at the service manager from among a group of available servers. The preferred server is the server that is to service the connection request. Instructions are sent from the service manager to the forwarding agent. The instructions include the preferred server that is to service the connection request so that the connection request may be forwarded from the network device to the preferred server.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing digital media assets to a plurality of users. A portal is provided comprising at least one server computer. The portal executes a media library database server application that manages access a master library of media 5 assets that can be accessed by users via one or more communication networks. A plurality of media player devices communicate with the portal to access media assets for use. Each media player device may comprise a processor that executes a database client application that manages media assets licensed for use by a user.

Abstract: A method of bandwidth allocation for delivery of stored digital content from at least one server device to at least one client device by way of a network. The method includes the steps of: describing a control variable which represents a target flow rate of content from the server device to each client device; determining time-varying constraints on the target flow rate of the content; determining a cost function of the control variables for all clients, wherein the cost function represents an aggregate flow rate and is a sum of all flow rates for all clients; and prescribing bandwidth to all clients based upon a value of the control variables that maximize the cost function comprising performing periodic computations to update the value of the control variable such that the bandwidth can be continuously allocated to each client.

Abstract: The invention provides a central office metaphor to computing, where features and functions are provided by a one or more servers and communicated to an appliance terminal through a network. Data providers are defined as “services” and are provided by one or more processing resources. The services communicate to display terminals through a network, such as Ethernet. The terminals are configured to display data, and to send keyboard, cursor, audio, and video data through the network to the processing server. Functionality is partitioned so that databases, server and graphical user interface functions are provided by the services, and human interface functionality is provided by the terminal. Communication with the terminals from various services is accomplished by converting disparate output to a common protocol. Appropriate drivers are provided for each service to allow protocol conversion. Multiple terminals are coupled to the network.

Abstract: Described herein is a session reuse approach that reuses a session already established on a remote participant to execute an autonomous transaction. The session is reused in a manner that avoids affecting the session's state in a way adverse to later execution of the containing transaction. When beginning an autonomous transaction on a local participant, a request to initiate an autonomous transaction on a remote participant is deferred or not sent at all if the containing transaction is a distributed one. The request may be sent later, piggybacked to another message, using a piggyback messaging system. When ending an autonomous transaction, a local participant may send a request to a remote participant requesting that the remote participant commence execution of its respective containing transaction. The request is piggybacked to another message, and is thus transmitted without having to transmit the request separately, avoiding a message round trip.

Abstract: A system and method for managing connections between a server and a plurality of clients at a network connection management device is provided. The method comprises maintaining at least one connection to the server, receiving requests from the clients, transmitting the requests to the server, receiving responses to the requests from the server, and monitoring a server response time for a selected request sent to the server, the server response time for the selected request being the time elapsed between transmitting the selected request to the server and receiving a corresponding response from the server. A method according to the present invention may also include basing the number of connections to the server on the server response time.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information processing apparatus for switching a first session and a second session in executing processing, the apparatus comprising: storage controlling means which, if a first module belonging to a group is activated in the first session, then stores correspondence between the first session and the group; and activation controlling means which, if a second module belonging to the group is activated in the second session, then stops activation of the second module based on the stored correspondence between the first session and the group.