Abstract: Software stored on a computer-readable storage medium at a user station provides a plurality of functions including an online service selector function that enables a user at the user station to select any one of a plurality of available online service providers, and a communications function that establishes a communication link between the user station and the selected one of the available online service providers. Corresponding methods for operating a user station are also described.

Abstract: There is a performing of digital rights management (DRM), operable in an offline mode with respect to a communications network. The performing includes identifying a stored rights object associated with a stored asset. The stored rights object includes reporting duration information associated with the stored asset. The performing also includes determining, utilizing a processor, whether a transmission of an early status message is a successful communication based on an early status message determination. If a failure in communicating the early status message is determined, utilizing the stored asset. The performing may also include transmitting an early status message and/or later status message after identifying the stored rights object. There is also a performing of digital rights management (DRM) associated with a DRM system and operable in an offline mode with respect to a communications network. There are also client devices, communicating systems, computer readable mediums and protocols.

Abstract: A novel electronic information transport component can be incorporated in a wide range of electronic information products, for example magazine collections, to automate the mass distribution of updates, such as current issues, from a remote server to a wide user base having a diversity of computer stations. Advantages of economy, immediacy and ease of use are provided. Extensions of the invention permit automated electronic catalog shopping with order placement and, optionally, order confirmation. A server-based update distribution service is also provided. In addition, an offline web browser system, with hyperlink redirection capabilities, a novel recorded music product with automated update capabilities and an Internet charging mechanism are provided.

Abstract: Any of various comparisons of computer folders from different points in time is performed. Such comparisons provide the ability to discover missing documents or documents with modification dates that have changed when there would otherwise have been no need to change them and thus allows discovery of missing documents to discover fraud or to search for evidence after a fraud is suspected. In another embodiment, deltas in accounting system vendor invoice accounts are compared at different points in time, potentially exposing the practice of moving fraudulent vendor transactions into a large group of legitimate transactions for a legitimate vendor. Per period transaction totals for specific periods for legitimate vendors are compared over historical time for suspicious activity. A comparison of reports from the two different periods, using exact data and software from those separate periods (instead of reporting from “current’” data), may raise a red flag otherwise missed.

Abstract: A system and method for using identification codes found on ordinary articles of commerce to access remote computers on a network. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a computer is provided having a database that relates Uniform Product Code (“UPC”) numbers to Internet network addresses (or “URLs”). To access an Internet resource relating to a particular product, a user enters the product's UPC symbol manually, by swiping a bar code reader over the UPC symbol, or via other suitable input means. The database retrieves the URL corresponding to the UPC code. This location information is then used to access the desired resource.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive a designation of multiple rows to supply data to a single user defined function, which is made available in a structured query language SELECT statement. Further activities may include retrieving the data from at least one storage medium, packing each of the multiple rows having a common key into a single row, and transforming the data from a first state into a second state by applying the single function to the data using a single access module processor. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, are described for resolving duplicate images. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining a selection of a single image from among a plurality of duplicate images. Each duplicate image has an associated set of metadata. The method also includes aggregating each set of metadata into aggregated information, and storing the selected image together with the aggregated information on data storage accessible to a data processing apparatus.

Abstract: A manufacturing executing system (MES) contains computing devices and software tools to control machines involved in a production process. The MES is configured to realize production requirements having at least one segment requirement. The MES further contains measures for a user to define whether a segment requirement is repeatable, and a database configured to store segment requirements. The database contains for each segment requirement: a dedicated area to store each segment requirement repeatability status; a dedicated area to store at least a current value of a parameter acquired during an execution of the segment requirement and representing the result of the execution of the segment requirement; and a dedicated area to store expected values of the parameter. Finally, the MES contains a coordinator operable to communicate with the database to access the segment requirement, and operable to determine whether the execution of a segment requirement has to be repeated.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a communication tool that directly sends messages to accounts of different entities across different social media sites by automatically identifying and associating the accounts of the entities when the entities are referenced in the contents of the messages. Such identification and association is performed without the message originator manually specifying the accounts as intended recipients for the messages. The communication tool also automatically sends messages to different social media accounts of the message originator.

Abstract: In a method for operating a computer system connected to a telecommunication network and provided with a data memory for storing communication data, a data trace is compiled from parameters selected from time, at least one position designation, and at least one content. A communication data set together with the data trace is stored as a data set that is retrievable by authorized persons.

Abstract: A system and method for an automotive diagnostic server can provide a portable vehicle diagnostic tool to identify a failed vehicle component. It may also provide a remote information device to serve as a connecting intermediary between devices, and to allow remote control of the devices and to provide information to a user. A remote diagnostic device to analyze data and interpret information to aid the user in making, using, maintaining, and fixing a piece of equipment or product may also be included. Web server functionality may be incorporated into the portable vehicle diagnostic tool to allow dissemination of the diagnostic information resulting from the diagnostic testing, and the web server may be accessed by a web browser of the remote information device.

Abstract: Optimization constraints are used to select an appropriate content item from an available group of content items which are ordered in a specific manner to facilitate the proper selection of the content item, even if the exact item desired is not present. The server is then able to insert the selected content item into the outgoing content page requested by the client. The optimization constraints can be, but are not limited to, anyone of the following: communication channel performance (bandwidth), client operating system, client processor, client display capabilities, client installed software (video or audio codecs for example), and/or user preferences. A software product and method enable selective delivery of content to client devices of varying performance characteristics, including varying bandwidth, by selective filtering and inclusion of markup language content using tags demarcating optional content. An optimization constraint is used to select one of the items.

Abstract: Systems and methods for balancing electronic mailboxes among databases communicatively coupled to an information handling system are disclosed. A method may include comparing an actual utilization values for a first database to a threshold utilization value for the first database and, depending upon the results, identifying the first database as over-utilized. The method may also include comparing an actual utilization values for a second database to a threshold utilization value for the second database and, depending upon the results, identifying the second database as under-utilized. The method may further include comparing a threshold usage value of a first electronic mailbox stored in the first database to an upper threshold usage value for the first electronic mailbox and, depending upon the results, identifying the first electronic mailbox as heavily-utilized. The method may also include moving the heavily-utilized electronic mailbox to the second database.

Abstract: A system for providing programmable logic data on demand includes a portion for receiving a plurality of data requests at the programmable logic controller and a portion for processing the plurality of data requests asynchronously. An interface enables asynchronous processing to enhance and extend capabilities of the programmable logic controller.

Abstract: A search engine, system and method for locating and rating a plurality of electronic mentions of respective ones of a plurality of brands.

Abstract: Provide is an ion trap mass spectrometer which is configured to gain an MS spectrum of only fragment data in an MS/MS analysis, thereby makes it possible to perform the analysis in a short period. For this purpose, the device is comprised of: an ionization unit configured to ionize a sample which has been separated into respective components; an ion trap unit configured to trap ions ionized by ionization unit in an electric field and eject the ions in accordance with the respective masses of the ions; a detection unit configured to detect the ions ejected from the ion trap unit; and a processing unit configured to generate an MS spectrum (mass spectrum) on the basis of data detected in the detection unit. The processing unit further configured to gain an MS spectrum of only fragment data of a target ion from a difference between an MS spectrum gained in an MS analysis made before and/or after an MS/MS analysis and an MS spectrum gained in the MS/MS analysis.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, are described for resolving duplicate images. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining a selection of a single image from among a plurality of duplicate images. Each duplicate image has an associated set of metadata. The method also includes aggregating each set of metadata into aggregated information, and storing the selected image together with the aggregated information on data storage accessible to a data processing apparatus.

Abstract: A plurality of institutions (such as financial institutions) contribute data to a data analysis and linking system. The system analyzes the data to create data nodes (records) associated with an entity, where the entity may be, for example, a person/individual, business, organization, account, address, telephone number, etc. After data is linked, and in order to retrieve linked data, a requester may provide to the system an identifier associated with an entity. The linked data provided by the system in response to the identifier may be in the form of a network of data nodes associated with the entity and for use in assessing risk, such as risk associated with a transaction being conducted by a person. The linked data may also be analyzed at the system to score risk associated with the entity, and the risk score provided in conjunction with or in lieu of the network of data nodes.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for use in establishing secure end-to-end communication links over a VPN gateway via a network interface unit. Illustrative embodiments include establishing and providing secure communication relationships between users (customers) and companies for e-commerce and other business purposes. Each company's data and linkage to users remaining private and secure from the other participating companies as well as from the general public over the Internet. Login by user with network interface units, addressing, authentication, and other configuration operations achieved using a web page-based GUI are applied in establishing tunnels from LAN clients to desired VPN destinations. Required authentication exchanges and required encryption key exchanges facilitate the secure communications. Financial arrangements regarding the provisioning and use of network interface units are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of managing a domain, a method of extending a domain, and a method of selecting a reference point controller are provided. The method of operating the domain includes: receiving a request for authenticating a reference point controller from a reference point controller candidate; invalidating a membership of the stored reference point controller; generating a unique reference point controller membership for verifying that the reference point controller candidate is a new reference point controller; and transmitting the generated reference point controller membership to the reference point controller candidate. Accordingly, even when an error occurs in the reference point controller, the function of the reference point controller can be rapidly replaced by using the reference point controller candidate.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for measuring contributor weight or influence in social media. Content posted by a user on one or more social media platforms is identified. The identifying the content posted by the user includes searching the one or more social media platforms for content posted by the user with identifying information. Downstream content associated with the content posted by the user is identified. Metrics measuring a contributor weight of the user based on the downstream content are calculated.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the discovery of an Internet Protocol (IP) address of an application server associated with an IP network. An IP device is granted access to an IP network. Access to the IP network assumes an IP address assignment for the IP device. The network domain name is discovery by performing a Reverse DNS query on the assigned IP address or an IP address associated with the IP network device granting access to the IP device. Using a application server domain name (derived from the network domain name) a DNS query is perform to determine all IP addresses associated with the application server domain name.

Abstract: A method and system for providing status of a data item after receiving status information pertaining to the data item. It is determined whether the received status information is new relative to further status information pertaining to the data item. The status record is updated to include the received status information if the received status information is new. The updated message indicating the received status information is then composed and transmitted over a network.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for analyzing network traffic associated with network services. Initially, network traffic and metadata are collected from a network. Thereafter, the network traffic is analyzed utilizing the metadata.

Abstract: Online document storage and/or retrieval techniques are described. In an implementation, one or more computer-readable media comprising instructions that are executable to provide a web service application programming interface (API). The web service API is configured to accept a document and information specified by the document's provider. The information specifying which of a plurality of tabs in a user interface at least a portion of data included in the document is to be associated with for display in which at least one of the tabs pertains to billing data and another one of the tabs does not pertain to billing data.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that facilitate advertisement selection using advancement bids. In embodiments, advertisement attributes in association with an advertisement are referenced. Such advertisement attributes might include an impression bid and a click bid. For a particular advertisement, it is determined if a satisfactory click rate is available. If it is determined that the satisfactory click rate is unavailable for the advertisement, an impression bid is utilized to compete with other advertisements in an advertisement-selection auction. On the other hand, if it is determined that the satisfactory click rate is available for the advertisement, the satisfactory click rate and the click bid are utilized (e.g., via an effective impression value) to compete with the other advertisements in the advertisement-selection auction.

Abstract: Access to a resource may be controlled by a policy, such that a request to access the resource is either granted or denied based on what assertions have been made by various principals. To find the assertions that support a grant of access to the resource, a template may be created that defines the nature of assertions that would cause access to succeed. Assertions may be stored in the form of tokens. The template may be used to search an existing token store to find assertions that have been made, and/or to generate assertions that have not been found in the token store and that would satisfy the template. The assertions in the template may be created by performing an abductive reasoning process on an access query.

Abstract: A computer system having a plurality of host computers and a storage system is provided which allows any one host computer to perform a global copy operation on any arbitrary or all storage areas in the storage system. To this end, storage areas provided by the disk devices are grouped into groups by allocating group numbers to a plurality of specified storage areas. The copy operation can be performed by specifying desired groups. Each of the groups is made up of sub-groups and the sub-groups are defined for each computer to assure a consistency of copy order of the sub-groups.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking information in a business environment. The system uses a tree-view hierarchy whereby alerts and time triggers are set by the user and upon the triggering of an event, the visual attributes of the tree-view folders change to reflect the triggering event.

Abstract: Tools and techniques are described for estimating web accessibility and remediation efforts. One or more web accessibility standards can be indicated to be included in the effort estimate. A user can indicate which individual guidelines are to be included in standard test effort estimates by selecting individual guidelines, sub-guidelines or priority or success criteria levels. Standard test effort estimates are calculated based on test factors associated with the indicated individual guidelines or sub-guidelines. A total test effort estimate is calculated based on the standard test effort estimates and one or more web page counts, and a web accessibility and remediation effort estimate is calculated based on the total test effort estimate. A framework implementing the effort estimation methods can comprise multiple spreadsheets for use within a spreadsheet application running on a computing device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for a quantifiable assessment of the delivery effectiveness of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) planning designs. In this regard, present embodiments provide quantifiable metrics that help a key stakeholder, such as a product or service provider, determine the level of success for each design requirement or Critical-To-Quality (CTQ) attribute defined in the QFD design process. Thus, based on presently described embodiments, the stakeholder can assess how well the deployment of their product or service met the original defined CTQs and/or design requirements and which CTQs and which design requirements related to those CTQs should garner further attention to ensure that the CTQ meets its objective, which in turn allows for the opportunity for the highest possible customer satisfaction with the new or re-designed product, process or service.

Abstract: A system processes product data including values for a product data record corresponding to a product style. A network interface receives a product data record over a network from a source. A memory has stored thereon computer readable instruction code, including, a rule set having rules associated with the product data record, and a processing manager to apply the rules to the product data record and determine availability of values to a venue. The processing manager includes a style identification manager to determine from among the available values a product style associated with the available values, and to make the product style available to the venue based on the rules.

Abstract: An information retrieval system having: a client adapted for accessing a plurality of file sets stored on one of a plurality of file servers; a plurality of file servers configured to operate with a federated file system namespace; and a memory for storing re-direction information accessible by the client for identifying a request issued by the client for a file set at a first location in the namespace where the file set is located at a second, different location on one of the file servers and wherein the client in examining the re-direction information in the memory, re-directs the request to the second location in accordance with the re-direction information.

Abstract: Optimization constraints are used to select an appropriate content item from an available group of content items which are ordered in a specific manner to facilitate the proper selection of the content item, even if the exact item desired is not present. The server is then able to insert the selected content item into the outgoing content page requested by the client. The optimization constraints can be, but are not limited to, anyone of the following: communication channel performance (bandwidth), client operating system, client processor, client display capabilities, client installed software (video or audio codecs for example), and/or user preferences. A software product and method enable selective delivery of content to client devices of varying performance characteristics, including varying bandwidth, by selective filtering and inclusion of markup language content using tags demarcating optional content. An optimization constraint is used to select one of the items.

Abstract: The invention to which this application relates is the provision of a method and apparatus which allows the graphical representation of organizations and the interpretation of business structures and in particular allows the representation of variants within said business structures and allows these variants to be dealt with in an organized and more efficient manner than is conventionally possible. Thus, several different variants of an organizational model can be created and compared. Typically all of the variants include the components, interfaces, references and elements of the original organizational model.

Abstract: An ad server and syndication system provides a browsable hierarchy of categories, such as topical ad categories and/or product categories, with which specific ads may be explicitly associated. A first user interface provides functionality for advertisers to browse the hierarchy, and to post ads in association with specific ad categories. A second user interface provides functionality for web site operators wishing to host ads on their web sites to select or exclude specific categories of ads to host. In one embodiment, a web site operator that sells a particular category of products can locate that product category within the hierarchy, and then select from a corresponding list of product-related-services that may be advertised on web pages associated with such products.

Abstract: A map-centric service for creating, finding, and organizing social events is described. Social events may include gatherings, goods or services for sale or other types of events about which a group of people may wish to share information. The service provides a graphical indication of the location of a plurality of social events superimposed on a map, providing a geographic context to social events. The geographic context may be augmented with text graphical indications or information in other forms, further identifying characteristics of the social event. Information about social events may be made accessible to multiple users through a web service. A user may search for social events by specifying desired characteristics of the social event. The service can also generate an optimal route for user selected events.

Abstract: A method for controlling distribution of media contents over a network is provided, wherein the contents are distributed contents available at surrogate servers and remaining contents that are not available at the surrogate servers. The method includes identifying contents eligible for distribution from the remaining contents; defining a set of categories; identifying for each category at least a reference content; associating the identified contents with the predefined categories based on semantics affinity with the reference content, the semantics affinity being calculated as the distance of each of the identified contents to the at least a reference content; selecting at least one of the predefined categories; and making at least one of the identified contents associated with the selected predefined category available for distribution at the surrogate servers.

Abstract: When an email server has a message from a sender to multiple recipients with an attachment file, an attachment application is activated. The attachment application stores preferences of email users for online storage locations. The method carried out extracts details of an email sender and recipients for the email message to be sent with an attachment file and compares the email sender and recipients with the stored preferences for online storage locations to select a common online storage location for the sender and recipients. A directory is created at the common online storage location for uploading the attachment file to the selected online storage location and the address of the attachment file at the selected online storage location is added to the email message. If a common online storage location is not available, a new account can be generated for the recipients at an online storage location.

Abstract: A dynamic imposition system provides for the printing of variable length documents onto a predefined number of pages. The more important pages in the document can be printed at their default size and resolution while less important pages can be automatically scaled down and printed at half size or less. The system automatically assigns ranks to the page descriptions in a print job based on each page's importance and then assigns one or more allowable impositions to each page description. The system then selects the imposition specifications that permit the imposition of the document onto a predetermined number of sheets. The document can then be imposed and printed in accordance with the selected imposition specifications.

Abstract: A method disclosed. The method includes receiving a Job Definition Format (JDF) job ticket indicating a document file to be printed is located in a JDF file path, mapping the JDF file path to a file path recognized at a print server, retrieving the document file and processing the document file for printing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of processing a call are disclosed. One example method may include receiving a request at a server for dealer information. The request may be initiated by a user via his or her mobile station. The example method may also include determining whether there is user preference information and user location information included in the request. The information may be used to limit the amount of search results to increase relevancy. The method may also include searching a database for at least one dealer based on the user preference information and the user location information, and transferring the at least one dealer information to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for operating on data at a cache node of a data grid system is described. An asynchronous future-based interface of a computer system receives a request to operate on a cache node of a cluster. An acknowledgment is sent back upon receipt of the request prior to operating on the cache node. The cache node is then operated on based on the request. The operation is replicated to other cache nodes in the cluster. An acknowledgment that the operation has been completed in the cluster is sent back.

Abstract: A system and method store addresses within a database. An address and an address usage type that define an intended use of the address for an entity are captured. Address elements of the address are determined using an address template based upon the address usage type. If the address is not already stored within the database, an address entry having a new unique address identification number is created within an address table, each of the address elements are stored within an address element table of the database in association with the new unique address identification number, and an association entry is created within an address association table to associate the new unique address identification number with the entity, as well as to store the address usage type.

Abstract: Generation of a task or reminder in an electronic task list authoring surface from a variety of data or information locations or media without the need for launching a separate task or reminder application and without the need for moving focus away from an information location or media presently in use is provided. Generation of a task or task reminder may be accomplished from a variety of information locations or media. When an information item is flagged or captured and a task/reminder is generated, one or more pieces of metadata may be applied to the flagged information item for enhancing the subsequent use of the associated generated task or reminder.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text in multiple different voices where the portions of the text narrated using the different voices are selected by a user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing bookmark information of a media server through a network based on the UPnP AV standard is disclosed. If a request for bookmarking a content item is made, a bookmark item is created and the created bookmark item is linked to the content item by adding the ID of the created bookmark item to the property information of the content item and recording the ID of the content item to be bookmarked in the created bookmark item.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and systems to provide a narration of a text in multiple different voices where the portions of the text narrated using the different voices are selected by a user. Also disclosed are techniques and systems for associating characters with portions of a sequence of words selected by a user. Different characters having different voice models can be associated with different portions of a sequence of words.

Abstract: A method of storing a file in a memory. An explicit command is issued to a file system to store the file in accordance with a desired performance characteristic of the file such as enhanced write performance, enhanced read performance or enhanced latency performance. The file system stores the file in the memory in accordance with the desired performance characteristic. Preferably the desired performance characteristic is achieved by storing the file in a physically contiguous portion of the memory or in a logically contiguous portion of the memory. After the explicit command has been issued for each of a plurality of files, the files may be stored concurrently.

Abstract: The invention provides an information retrieval apparatus and an information retrieval method by which information can be retrieved in an improved operability. A CPU controls a video camera to fetch an image and controls a GPS to detect a current position. The CPU reads out, from within image data stored in a corresponding relationship with URLs of WWW servers, those image data which correspond to position data regarding positions around the detected current position from a WWW data base via a modem and a host machine. Then, the CPU selects, from among the read out image data, that image data which matches with the fetched data, reads out a URL corresponding to the image data and accesses a WWW server designated by the URL.