Abstract: A system in which a user accessing a web environment can request advertising information without leaving the currently displayed web page. A server is communicatively coupled to a client device, such as a personal computer, and is configured to communicate content to the client device for display to the user. The content includes media, such as a web-based interactive game, an advertisement and an input area for requesting advertising information. One or more software modules executing in an operating environment provided by the server are configured to receive input from the client device when a user interacts with the media, such as taking a turn in the interactive game. The software modules communicate advertising information to the user, such as sending an email message, based on the received input, thereby allowing the user to request advertising information without interrupting his or her interaction with the currently displayed media.

Abstract: A storage system includes a communication port, the mode of operation of which can be dynamically switched by a user between a target mode and an initiator mode. The port may be a Fibre Channel port. The storage system may be a unified storage system operable to provide file-level access and block-level access to stored data.

Abstract: Techniques that facilitate access to web components and resources provided by web servers. According to an embodiment of the present invention, information is stored for links that may be used by a user to automatically access a web component. An embodiment of the present invention is described below that stores and manages links that can be used to access portal components stored by a portal.

Abstract: A system for satisfying a request from a client for a send-then-commit transaction includes a front-end information management system (IMS) server. Shared message queues (SMQ) communicate with the front-end IMS server and plural back-end IMS. The front-end IMS server receives the request from the client and transmits the request to the SMQ. A back-end IMS server accesses the SMQ and generates a transaction output in response to the request. The back-end IMS server transmits the result to the front-end IMS server and the front-end IMS server interfaces with the client to communicate the response thereto. The back-end IMS server and front-end IMS server operate in separate system images, but work together in a resource recovery services (RRS) environment to commit or backout the transaction output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the automatic migration of data via a distributed computer network allows a customer to select content files that are to be transferred to a group of edge servers. Origin sites store all of a customer's available content files. An edge server maintains a dynamic number of popular files in its memory for the customer. The files are ranked from most popular to least popular and when a file has been requested from an edge server a sufficient number of times to become more popular than the lowest popular stored file, the file is obtained from an origin site. The edge servers are grouped into two service levels: regional and global. The customer is charged a higher fee to store its popular files on the global edge servers compared to a regional set of edge servers because of greater coverage.

Abstract: An IP address setting device includes a request packet transmitting unit, a response reception unit, an address information designation unit, and a setting packet transmission unit. The request packet transmitting unit transmits a request packet to a particular multicast address. The request packet requests transmission of an MAC address from each node of the network. The response reception unit receives responses from the nodes to the request packet. Each response includes the MAC address of a corresponding node. Based on the responses received, the address information designation unit designates a node to be set with address information including an IP address and designates the address information. The setting packet transmission unit transmits a setting packet to the particular multicast address. The setting packet includes the address information set by the address information designation unit and the MAC address included in the response from the node.

Abstract: A solution to latencies associated with server side processing time, as well as to latency resulting from the transit of information or tools from a server side to a client or user side is provided. The server side and client side can be coupled via a hard link or a network-type connection such as the Internet or a local area network. Select delta page information is stored in a concise manner on client side. As a result, the client does not have to contact the server when a user requests page information that is associated with stored delta page information. The stored delta page information can be accessed and used to update the current page thereby yielding the requested page. Thus, latency from server side processing and network transit time is reduced. An algorithm can be implemented on the client side to identify relevant stored delta page information, and to update the current page with that delta page information.

Abstract: A system and method for blending tasks received from a plurality of media switches. The method comprises receiving a plurality of task data indicating a plurality of tasks and a plurality of agent data indicating a plurality of agents. The task data and the agent data are stored in a database system. Tasks are assigned to the agents according to workflows. The system comprises a blending engine coupled to a plurality of media switches and a plurality of agent workstations coupled to the blending engine. The blending engine receives a plurality of task data from the media switches. The agent workstations provide a plurality of agent data to the blending engine. The blending engine provides a plurality of task assignments to the agent workstations according to workflows.

Abstract: A method for monitoring client interaction with a resource downloaded from a server in a computer network includes the steps of using a client to specify an address of a resource located on a first server, downloading a file corresponding to the resource from the first server in response to specification of the address, using the client to specify an address of a first executable program located on a second server, the address of the first executable program being embedded in the file downloaded from the first server, the first executable program including a software timer for monitoring the amount of time the client spends interacting with and displaying the file downloaded from the first server, downloading the first executable program from the second server to run on the client so as to determine the amount of time the client interacts with the file downloaded from the first server, using a server to acquire client identifying indicia from the client, and uploading the amount of time determined by the firs

Abstract: A multi-tiered server management architecture is employed including an application development tier, an application operations tier, and a cluster operations tier. In the application development tier, applications are developed for execution on one or more server computers. In the application operations tier, execution of the applications is managed and sub-boundaries within a cluster of servers can be established. In the cluster operations tier, operation of the server computers is managed without concern for what applications are executing on the one or more server computers and boundaries between clusters of servers can be established. The multi-tiered server management architecture can also be employed in co-location facilities where clusters of servers are leased to tenants, with the tenants implementing the application operations tier and the facility owner (or operator) implementing the cluster operations tier.

Abstract: Transferring data segments and virtual circuit (VC) information related to the data segments across an Ethernet switch from a first connection terminating at an input port of the switch to a second connection originating at an output port of the switch involves utilizing the VC information at the input port to determine the output port of the data segment, generating tunnel frames that include the identified output port and the VC information as overhead and the data segments as payload, transferring the tunnel frames across the switch from the input port to the output port, generating new headers for the data segments using the VC information that was transferred across the switch in the tunnel frames, and transmitting the data segment, including the new header, on the second connection.

Abstract: A method and system that creates and maintains lock properties for a resource or object in a distributed environment. The lock properties provide other client computer systems limited availability to the locked resource. Limited availability relates to being able to only read, write or delete the resource, or any combination thereof. Additionally, these lock properties allow other client computer systems to simultaneously hold or share equivalent locks. Other lock properties relate to advisory or mandatory status for the lock. Advisory locks may be honored or ignored by other client computer systems.

Abstract: A method in a computing device for identifying interfaces related to a service provider includes receiving a call identifier as an explicit parameter in a call or as an implicit parameter contained within input data to request a service provided by the service provider, the call identifier representing a version of the service.

Abstract: A system and method is directed to managing media access in a controlled media system. The method includes communicating usage reports that are based on usage information from local usage records associated with one or more user devices controlled by each local control unit to a system control unit from one or more local control units, update global usage records that associate device usage with one or more user accounts based on the usage reports, transmitting the updated global usage records to each local control unit, and updating the local usage records responsive to receipt of the updated global usage records and causing each local control unit to selectively enable and disable each user device based on the updated local usage records, and, when updated global usage records are not received causing each local control unit to selectively enable and disable each user device based on local usage records.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses allowing for dynamic partitioning of a network resource among a plurality of users. In one embodiment, the invention involves recognizing new users of a network resource; creating user partitions on demand for new users, wherein the user partition is operable to allocate a portion of a network resource; and, reclaiming inactive user partitions for subsequent new users.

Abstract: A system and method for performing client-server transactions includes an application interface, located at a client, which manages connections between the client and a server. The application interface receives a request from an application program, opens a connection with the server, sends a message that includes the request over the connection, and holds the connection open for at least a timeout period. If the application interface receives another request destined for the server during the timeout period, it sends another message with the new request over the open connection. If the application interface receives one or more requests that are part of a transaction, the application interface assigns a transaction identifier to the transaction. The transaction identifier and a sequence indicator are included in each message with each request.

Abstract: A method of load balancing messages to servers of a server farm, by a load balancer. The method includes configuring the load balancer with information on the session ID values which may be assigned by at least one of the servers, determining, by the load balancer, for at least some client messages including a non-empty session ID field, which server or sub-group of servers is associated with the ID in the ID field, responsive to the configured information, and selecting, by the load balancer, a server to receive each of the at least some client messages, at least partially responsive to the determination.

Abstract: A content provider interfaces a client with a server. The content provider includes a task manager operable to initiate and manage a session for a client and to query the server, when required, for content requested by the client. The content provider also includes session content storage for storing content associated with that session. The content provider further includes a protocol adapter operable to respond to the task manager for interfacing with the server to retrieve content requested by the client. The retrieved content is stored in the session content storage associated with the session for the client.

Abstract: A method for transferring data, by establishing network links between a private and a public network. Each link is associated with a respective unique public-network-address. Each session of one or more data packets within the private network is allocated an extended-private-address, the private network being adapted to transfer each data packet in a respective session using at least part of the extended-private-address as an identifying private-network-address. For each session the extended-private-address is translated to an extended-public-address, which includes one of the unique public-network-addresses. The data packets of each session are conveyed between the private and public networks via the link associated with the public-network-address of the respective session, and are transmitted within the public network using at least part of the extended-public-address as an identifying public-network-address.

Abstract: A method to negotiate computer settings in advance is presented. A prediction is made to determine if the computer setting will be needed, and if needed, whether a value outside of a normal range of values will be needed. A value for the computer setting that is outside of the normal range of values is determined and the value is set to the outside value. A value within the normal range of values is used if it was predicted that there is no need for a value outside of the normal range of values.

Abstract: A method of communication involving processing by instruction using one or a combination of information units, when a user instructs a terminal to display contents and procedure of a communication, or to totalize the contents of the communication, or when a manager terminal instructs a field of the communication to provide a function of the communication corresponding to an object or stage of the communication. Information units forming the contents of the communication include cards, and information units forming premising information of a communication and a basis of the communication include boards. An information unit comprises a board identifier and attribute information for specifying a function of a board, such as a relationship between the board and cards. To provide a communication function corresponding to an object and stage of the communication, a template conforms to the object and stage so a manager can select and utilize the template.

Abstract: A system for detecting digitized content and selecting matches from a master verification database. The detection of digitized content is performed using a verification database which contains a master table of contents identifiers and songprints for corresponding digitized content. A network server is programmed to receive selections of a table of contents identifiers from computers, and to request selections of songprint identifiers from the computers and selects matches from the master verification database.

Abstract: A user's set top box (STB), or other client, executes a shell and has an application program interface (API) by which certain features of the client can be controlled. The client is in communication with a walled garden proxy server (WGPS), which controls access to a walled garden. The walled garden contains links to one or more servers providing network-based services. The client sends a request to the WGPS to access a service provided by a site in the garden. To provide the service, the site sends the client a message containing code calling a function in the API. The WGPS traps the message from the site and looks up the site in a table to determine the access control list (ACL) for the site. The ACL is a bit-map that specifies which functions of the client's API can be invoked by code from the site. The WGPS includes the ACL in the header of the hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) message to the client. The shell receives the message and extracts the ACL.

Abstract: A method and a communication system for exchanging data between at least two users interconnected over a bus system are described. The data is contained in messages which are transmitted by the users over the bus system. To improve data exchange among users so that in the normal case, there is a high probability that it will be possible to transmit messages with a low latency, while on the other hand, in the worst case, a finite maximum latency can be guaranteed, the data be transmitted in an event-oriented method over the bus system as long as a preselectable latency period elapsing between a transmission request by a user and the actual transmission operation of the user can be guaranteed for each message to be transmitted as a function of the utilization of capacity of the bus system, and otherwise the data is transmitted over the bus system by a deterministic method.

Abstract: In response to an automatic baseline input, a default control template for a site in a telecommunications network is translated into monitoring and simulation templates. Current end-to-end application and component information are translated into operational modes for monitoring and simulation modules according to the monitoring and simulation templates. Operational controls are established for controlling the monitoring and simulation modules for controlling, in real time, the transmission of network management and simulation traffic.

Abstract: A communication protocol stack for enabling multimedia communication between communicating devices where multiple port communication data is tunneled through a single TCP port is provided. The communication protocol stack includes, at an application level, the capability to identify whether received communication data is for a communication port. If the received communication data is for the communication port, then the communication protocol stack includes the ability to forward identification data regarding the received communication data to a table in advance of forwarding the received communication data to a driver level of the communication protocol stack. A method, computer readable medium, and a system for tunneling port traffic through a single HTTP port are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to processing configuration of a network node, such as for example a firewall, and for sharing the configuration management between several administrators. The configuration comprises a processing rule base, which contains rules to be used in the network node for filtering data packets, the rules comprising one or more identification values for identifying a data packet and an action. The configuration of the network node is validated by determining, whether the processing rule base fulfils requirements defined in a validation rule base. The use of validation rule base enables verifying that processing rule bases managed by different administrators fulfil some set requirements. Additionally, the invention accounts for detecting human errors in configurations.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method related to location-independent message addressing for a computer network are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a plurality of nodes, e.g., computer systems, may be connected to a network. The plurality of nodes may include a first node which is operable to send a message addressed using a “role”. The role may be associated with one or more other nodes coupled to the network. The message may be sent to each of the one or more nodes with which the role is associated without specifying locations of the one or more nodes. For example, the role may have an associated name, and the message may be addressed using the role name.

Abstract: A method of connecting a power line modem to an external network. The method includes receiving, by the power line modem, a plurality of packets directly transmitted from a plurality of neighboring devices connected to the power lines, determining for each of the plurality of neighboring devices, a cost of a route to an access unit, through the neighboring device, responsive to the received packets, and selecting an access unit to service the power line modem, responsive to the determination of the costs.

Abstract: A system for dynamic message routing on a topic between publishing nodes and subscribing nodes includes a plurality of message queues, at least one topic/node table, a subscribing module, a publishing module, and other modules to send messages between one or more publisher and one or more subscribers. These modules are coupled together by a bus in a plurality of nodes and provide for the dynamic message routing on a topic between publishing nodes and subscribing nodes. The message queues store messages at each node for delivery to subscribers local to that node. The topic/node table lists which clients subscribe to which topics, and is used by the other modules to ensure proper distribution of messages. The subscribing module is use to establish a subscription to a topic for that node. The publishing module is used to identify subscribers to a topic and transmit messages to subscribers dynamically.

Abstract: An information processing system comprises a first computing device configured to receive state information through a first port and selectively initiate execution of a software application by the first computing device when a state of at least one of the first computing device and a second computing device is a first state, and the second computing device through a second port when the state is a second state, the software application being associable with one or more software objects.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for supporting routing intelligence for evaluating routing paths based on performance measurements. The routing intelligence may include processes executed in a self-contained device. This device may control one or more edge routers, based on performance data from end users. In other embodiments, the routing intelligence device may be used solely to monitor one or more edge routers, producing reports but not effecting any changes to routing. Routing decisions may be injected to the edge routers via BGP updates. The devices may be stationed at the premises of a multihomed organization, such as an enterprise, ISP, government organization, university, or other organization supporting a sub-network coupled to an internetwork. In other embodiments, the routing intelligence comprises processes executed on a router.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for web switching without connection termination while providing content routing functionality. Content-aware web switches terminate incoming TCP connections and inspect the HTTP header to recognize the URL (content) being requested from a web server farm. This invention maps application layer information (URLs) to MPLS labels. This allows a standard MPLS switch to provide web switching functionality without terminating TCP connections. In addition to content routing, this method is applied for client session affinity, server load balancing and service differentiation. This invention also relates to using TCP port numbers instead of MPLS labels to achieve web-switching functionality through the use of a TCP router that translates IP address and port numbers.

Abstract: In an accounting system, an user 1, by the use of a terminal 2, transmits a transmission packet P1 to a reception destination 3, that is a server of an information service provider, and receives a reception packet P2 therefrom by way of a packet communication network 4. The accounting apparatus 6 receives numbers of transmitted and received packets 51 from an exchange 5 and also receives the accounting amendment information 71 from the accounting amendment apparatus 7 at an adequate timing. The accounting apparatus 6 thereby decides the account fees for the user 1 of the terminal 2 and for the reception destination 3, respectively. In other words, the information service provider is charged with a part of the numbers of transmitted and received packets 51.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for assured denotation of application semantics (“ADAS”). In a computer system operating at least one application, a method is disclosed for providing assured denotation of application semantics associated with the application. A graphical operation is received for the application. The graphical operation includes at least one argument. The argument is intercepted for the graphical operation, and modified for the graphical operation to provide an indication of at least one application semantic associated with the application.

Abstract: A scanner system provides real-time remote acquisition of a scanner's audio signals and visual display, and real-time remote control of scanner operations, including settings and functions. The scanner system may be used to gather information in a regional market by listening to geographically distant broadcasts available on radio spectrum frequencies. By synchronizing multi-spectrum monitoring, audio delivery, visual cueing, and control of spectrum reception, geographically independent persons can process scanner information as if they were physically present in the market. Thus, operators can gather information from public agencies and radio broadcasts from a remote market as if they were present in the market. The scanner audio signals may be used to produce traffic reports.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a bridge circuit which controls a data transfer of a bus line, peripheral circuits which are connected to the bridge circuit through the busline, and a control circuit which is formed at the peripheral circuits. The control circuit receives a select signal and controls the data transfer in the peripheral circuits in accordance with a logic state of the select signal.

Abstract: An information storage device is disclosed (such as a disk drive) comprising an interface for connecting to a host through a cable, and control circuitry for communicating with the host over the cable by executing a communication process. The communication processes comprises the steps of transmitting a communication request to the host over the cable and waiting to receive a response from the host over the cable. A cable loss event is logged if the host fails to respond after executing the communication process at least twice. Performing the communication process multiple times before logging a cable loss event helps ensure a communication failure is actually due to a faulty cable connection.

Abstract: One embodiment of a long-distance synchronous bus includes a sending unit and a receiving unit. The sending unit and receiving unit are configured to use credit-based handshaking signals to regulate data flow between themselves. The receiving unit includes a skid buffer for storing data packets received from the sending unit. The sending unit transmits one data packet to the receiving unit for each credit in possession and consumes one credit for each such transmitted data packet. The receiving unit transmits one credit to the sending unit for each data packet that is read out of the skid buffer. In another embodiment, transmitted data may be broadcast to multiple receiving units by routing the data from the sending unit to the multiple receiving units and maintaining separate credit-based handshaking signals for each receiving unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a buffer memory in a disc drive. An arbitrated buffer stores data read from, or to be written to, the disc. Sequential entries (that store pointers to the data) in the buffer, corresponding to a requested traversal, are traversed prior to voluntarily relinquishing ownership of the buffer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for responding to a data transfer are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a method that includes the following steps: determining a sustainable data transfer rate for data transfers to/from an external memory medium, acquiring a data stream, transforming the data stream, and selecting a value for at least one operational parameter associated with acquiring or transforming the data stream in response to the sustainable data transfer rate.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a method and apparatus for support of a non-standard device containing operating system data are described. According to one embodiment, a circuit comprises a first device that is not compliant with a PCI (peripheral component interconnect) standard, the first device containing operating system data, where the operating system data is not bootable for any non-standard device; a second device that is compliant with the PCI standard, the second device being associated with the operating system data, the association of the second device with the operating system data from the first device enabling the operating system data from the first device to be booted according to the PCI standard; and a memory to receive the operating system data from the first device.

Abstract: A deterministic microcontroller includes a plurality of blocks of cache memories formed on the same integrated circuit as the microprocessor unit. A corresponding plurality of hardware contexts for the microcontroller is provided by the plurality of sets of hardware registers. A context manager controls the selection of the hardware registers such that contexts are changed within one bus cycle and a plurality of hardware contexts are provided. The deterministic microcontroller includes a configurable input/output interface that is programmable to handle any one of a plurality of interfaces that embedded applications might have, including communication protocols and bus interfaces, data acquisition from multiple sensors and actuators, and controls of various motors.

Abstract: A bus configuration circuit includes a first group having a first master module, a first slave module and a first bus module group; a second master module and a second slave module disposed outside the first group and connected thereto by a second bus module group; and a third slave module disposed outside the first group. A first control signal is output from the first bus module group indicative of whether an access destination of the first master module is the first slave module. A second control signal is output from the first slave module indicative of the accessed status of the first slave module. The third slave module consequently outputs a third control signal responsive to the first and second control signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for early fixed latency subtractive decoding are disclosed. The subtractive decoding device speculatively, or conditionally, acknowledges a bus transaction within a fixed time period that is the same as the time period for positive decoding. Pipelining of a new bus transaction may therefore be accomplished each new time period. A bus transaction may be retried if no acknowledgement occurs within the fixed time period.

Abstract: Systems and methods for early fixed latency subtractive decoding are disclosed. The subtractive decoding device speculatively acknowledges a bus transaction within a fixed time period that is the same as the time period for positive decoding. Pipelining of a new bus transaction may therefore be accomplished each new time period. A bus transaction may be retried if no acknowledgement occurs within the fixed time period.

Abstract: A memory access arbitration scheme is provided where transactions to a shared memory are stored in an arbitration queue. A collapsible queuing structure and method are provided, such that once a transaction is serviced, higher order entries ripple down in the queue to make room for new entries while maintaining an oldest to newest relationship among the queue entries. A queuing circuit having a plurality of registers interconnected by 2:1 multiplexers is also provided. The circuit is arranged such that each register receives either its own current contents or the contents of a higher order register during each register write cycle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multiple input instrumentation buses are disclosed. In one embodiment, a bus assembly includes a control module adapted to be coupled to a network, and a plurality of nodes operatively coupled in a linear topology. A plurality of interface modules are coupled to the nodes. At least one node is adapted to receive a primary response signal from the correspondingly coupled interface module, and a secondary response signal from at least one other node, and to determine which of the primary and secondary response signals arrived first, and to output a corresponding one of the primary and secondary response signals that arrived first.

Abstract: A method for reading and writing non-standard register of standard interface device is disclosed. An input no-available parameter of standard command is set as an executive parameter. While receiving the standard command the standard interface device detects executive parameter for reading corresponding value of non-standard register and saving the value into an output register corresponding to output no-available parameter in response to the standard command. Then users can read the value of the output register to learn value of non-standard register. Moreover, by setting the input no-available parameters of standard command as executive parameter and data parameter, standard command with executive parameter and data parameter is sent into the standard interface device. Thus the standard interface device detects the executive parameter so as to write the data parameter into the non-standard register corresponding to the executive parameter.

Abstract: A programmable logic device (PLD) includes a central processing unit (CPU) and a programmable interface coupled to the CPU, wherein the programmable interface includes a core designated by a user. The programmable interface core allows devices, both on and off-chip, to communicate with the CPU. In one embodiment, the programmable interface core includes a crosspoint switch for coupling a plurality of devices and the CPU. Re-programmability of the PLD provides significant flexibility in providing features that can be parameterized based on the user's needs and/or associated design. Specifically, these parameterized features can be implemented in programmable resources on the PLD, thereby allowing these features to be modified at any time. Moreover, only those resources actually needed for the programmable interface core need be implemented, thereby allowing the user to optimize use of the remainder of the PLD.