Abstract: Remote site connections are screened based on assesments performed by members of a trust community. Data based on a plurality of-end user assesments of particular remote sites are recieved at a server from a plurality of end-users. Each end-user is associated with a specific client machine which is in communication with the server. The server generates assesment scores based on the data. The server transmits the assesment scores to the client machines. The client machine selectively takes protective action against ones of the particular remote sites that have an undesireable assesment score generated by the server.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for optimal Short Message System (SMS) encoding in a wireless communications device having SMS capabilities. The system includes an optimizing subsystem and an encoding subsystem. The optimizing subsystem accepts an SMS message, identification of available encoding formats, and information regarding wireless device resource encoding requirements, such as memory usage, for the available encoding formats. The optimizing subsystem evaluates the characters in the SMS message to identify which of the available encoding formats are usable for encoding the characters, determines a memory usage requirement, and selects, as the optimal encoding format, the usable encoding format having the lowest memory usage. The optimizing subsystem supplies an optimizing signal identifying the optimal encoding format. The encoding subsystem accepts the SMS message and the optimizing signal, and encodes the message in the optimal encoding format.

Abstract: A distributed collaborative computer system is provided that comprises a plurality of server computers interconnected via a high-speed link. Client computers can connect to any available server computer and start or join a conference hosted on either the server computer to which the client computer is connected or any other server in the system. As a result, the system and method of the present invention is easily scalable to support an arbitrary number of participants to a conference by merely adding the appropriate number of server computers to the system. In addition, by replicating the conference information on more than one server computer, the single point of failure limitation is eliminated. In fact, if a server hosting or participating in a conference malfunctions, the failure is detected by other server computers and the client computer is able to reconnect to the conference through a new server computer.

Abstract: A distributed collaborative computer system is provided that comprises a plurality of server computers interconnected via a high-speed link. Client computers can connect to any available server computer and start or join a conference hosted on either the server computer to which the client computer is connected or any other server in the system. As a result, the system and method of the present invention is easily scalable to support an arbitrary number of participants to a conference by merely adding the appropriate number of server computers to the system. In addition, by replicating the conference information on more than one server computer, the single point of failure limitation is eliminated. In fact, if a server hosting or participating in a conference malfunctions, the failure is detected by other server computers and the client computer is able to reconnect to the conference through a new server computer.

Abstract: A method of automatically exchanging a presentation among a set of computers. A first presenting computer is positioned relative to at least one receiving computer to facilitate a communication link between the computers. Upon display of a presentation page on the first computer, data representing a given portion of the presentation page is repeatedly broadcast over the communication link. At the receiving computer, the data is received and displayed, and stored for later use. Preferably, the broadcast medium is an infrared communications channel. The data representing the given portion of the presentation page is broadcast in packets, with each packet having a checksum associated therewith. The receiving computer uses the checksum to verify the integrity of the data packet. If data packet integrity is in question, a message is output to the user indicating that the receiving computer should be repositioned relative to the transmitting computer.

Abstract: A method for automated technical support in a computer network having a client machine, and at least one server from which live help is available. The method begins initiates a guided self-help session in response to entry by a user of a problem area and description. During the self-help session, the user is provided with an option to escalate to live help. If the user exercises that option, the system automatically provides a support engineer at the server with a data stream summarizing the self-help session. During the live help, the support engineer may then repeat a portion of the user's self-help session, view information generated during that session, and/or execute certain actions with respect to the user's machine, all from the engineer's desktop.

Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a multicasting system and method of a network for providing personalized content to remote users of the network having different bandwidths. The personalized content includes Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) content. In general, the present invention allows the user to communicate within a network utilizing a multicast design. The host establishes group membership for the multicast group and then establishes an individualized set of broadcast criteria. This is accomplished by another process that registers streams of interest for the host. Should any member of the group broadcast data, the group system disseminates the data into discrete segments. The system then refers to the stream of interest register to determine which segments of the broadcast will be sent to which hosts in the network.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that provides a goal based learning system utilizing a rule based expert training system to provide a cognitive educational experience. The system provides the user with a simulated environment that presents a training opportunity to understand and solve optimally. The technique establishes a collaborative training session, including the steps of establishing a network connection between a plurality of users, selecting a mode for the network connection between the plurality of users, establishing a network connection mode between the plurality of users, and synchronizing the mode between the plurality of users. Modes of operation include application sharing, whiteboarding, media sharing, newsgroup information sharing, chatroom initiation and discussion group initiation.

Abstract: The invention includes a conference call system that includes a conference bridge configured to conference together communications between conference participants into a conference call. A conference monitor may be configured to allow a host to dynamically create a web page to provide an indication of ones of said conference participants who have joined the conference call. A web server may be configured to host the web page for access by one or more of the conference call participants.

Abstract: A multimedia collaboration system that integrates separate real-time and asynchronous networks—the former for real-time audio and video, and the latter for control signals and textual, graphical and other data—in a manner that is interoperable across different computer and network operating system platforms and which closely approximates the experience of face-to-face collaboration, while liberating the participants from the limitations of time and distance. These capabilities are achieved by exploiting a variety of hardware, software and networking technologies in a manner that preserves the quality and integrity of audio/video/data and other multimedia information, even after wide area transmission, and at a significantly reduced networking cost as compared to what would be required by presently known approaches. The system architecture is readily scalable to the largest enterprise network environments.

Abstract: Apparatus for video distribution to receiving units (6) over a network N. The apparatus comprises a distribution unit (4) at which video signals are compressed for transmission using intraframe and interframe coding, and at least one intermediate unit (10) disposed in a signal path between the distribution unit (4) and one or more receiving units (6). The intermediate unit (10) is arranged for storing intraframe coded signals and supplying such stored signals to one or more receiving units (6) when predetermined conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: Communication between users not accessing a shared virtual reality space at the same time is realized. A client terminal sends a calling card and a mail. A hard disk drive of a mail server holds the calling card and the mail. When a user to whom the calling card and the mail are to be sent accesses the shared virtual reality space, the mail server transfers the calling card and the mail to the client terminal.

Abstract: An integrated development environment on a client provides for developing transaction programs, web pages, and applets for execution on a high performance transactional based World Wide Web server. The transaction programs are developed on the client, then automatically transferred to the server, where they are automatically compiled, linked, loaded into a TP library, registered with a TP monitor for execution, and tested. Similarly, the web pages and applets are developed on the client, then automatically transferred to the server, loaded into a database, and tested.

Abstract: In a data processing system in which image data representing a form or the like is generated and transmitted via a network, selection is made as to whether data necessary for generating image data or generated image data is stored.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing a work process on an information network comprises a first subsystem to contract members of a virtual community having access to the information network to perform tasks associated with the work process, the members having an interest in the work process. A second subsystem dispatches tasks to the members requiring the members to evaluate information accessible on the information network and receive the evaluations of the members. A third subsystem processes the evaluations to perform the work process.

Abstract: Control of collaborative devices, including providing at least two collaborative devices, wherein each collaborative device comprises a client device and an embedded Java server, providing a registry service to which the collaborative devices are coupled for data communications, and providing at least one registry table, wherein the registry table includes registry records, wherein the registry records include registry records representing capabilities of collaborative devices, wherein the registry records representing capabilities of collaborative devices include data elements describing, for each collaborative device, capabilities, tertiary relationships, and network connectivities. The method further includes providing a service bundle of OSGI-compliant Java servlets comprising at least one predetermined algorithm for controlling the collaborative devices, and controlling the collaborative devices in accordance with the predetermined algorithm.

Abstract: A conferencing system that can acess advanced conferencing features while following essentially the same call flow as conventional conferencing systems. The conferencing system includes a computer network, and at least one conferencing application server, at least one media server, and at least one user agent connected to the network. The conferencing application server establishes and manages multimedia conferences by engaging in Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling with the user agents and the media server. Once the conference is established, the media server generates multimedia data such as audio data and conveys the data to the conference participants. In order to access advanced conferencing features, the conferencing system employs an enhanced SIP signaling technique including a conferencing Application Programming Interface (API) implemented by incorporating Extensible Mark-up Language (XML) messages in the bodies of respective SIP request/response messages.

Abstract: A program for processing information in a selected terminal apparatus includes reproducing contents data as a browsing object for output by the selected terminal apparatus; enabling operations to be performed on the browsing object; transmitting and receiving information over a network between a plurality of terminal apparatuses reproducing and outputting the contents data, the plurality of terminal apparatuses including the selected terminal apparatus, each of the terminal apparatuses having the browsing object, the information including shared information which denotes an operation performed on the browsing object of one of the plurality of terminal apparatuses to obtain a result; and sharing the result of the operation between the browsing objects of a remainder of the terminal apparatuses, the sharing being based on the shared information.

Abstract: A method is provided for delivering and processing data subsets from a number of sources to/in a central data processing unit. The data subsets are transferred via an internet interface to the central data processing unit and stored there. The data subsets from different sources are processed to form a shared program and the program is stored in a central memory. The program can be transferred and read using the internet interface. Data concerning the status of the data processing operation in its current updated form is signaled via the internet interface and/or reported back to the sources via a message communication system/service.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product for instant document sharing. In one embodiment, referred to as “document sharing,” a file is converted to a “shared document” which is distributed to the members of a data conference for review. In another embodiment, referred to as “application viewing,” the “owner” of a document shares the screens created by an application associated with the document. The other members of the data conference can view the screens, but cannot interact with the application. In another embodiment, referred to as “application sharing,” the “owner” of a document shares the screens created by an application associated with the document. The other members of the data conference can view the screens and interact with the application.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for processing medical information from an electronic medical device connected to a patient via a serial bus at one site for transmission and receipt over a network to a remote diagnostic site or medical processing center for a medical diagnosis. The systems and methods encompass any electronic medical device that produces a signal that may be communicated via a serial bus. The systems and methods prepare the signal from the serial bus for transmission over a network and entail the receipt of the signal at a remote diagnostic site or medical processing center. At the remote diagnostic site or medical processing center, the signal is then presented to a physician or other medical technician for analysis and diagnosis. After diagnosis of the signal at the remote diagnostic site or medical processing center the diagnosis may be provided to the patient.

Abstract: For a common work unit in a plurality of processors, a new application can be associated with the common work unit. A processing system for performing a common work in a work environment having one or more processors, comprising a means for specifying a unit (session) of common work, a means for operating the above common work unit a means for describing the above operation as an operation to a component of the above common work unit (corresponding to a script), and a means for executing the operation described by the above operation description means.

Abstract: A system and method for collaborative multimedia production by users at different geographic locations. The users produce sequencer data at a plurality of sequencer stations connected via a network. The sequencer stations encapsulate sequencer data units into broadcast data units and upload and download broadcast data units to and from a server, in response to user commands received at the sequencer stations.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are provided for providing personalized content delivery using a content-based scheme based on user profiles comprising content subscription information. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a user may provide content subscription information via a corresponding network node. A user profile corresponding to the user may be generated using the content subscription information. The content based on the user profile may then be delivered to the user via the corresponding network node.

Abstract: A method for identifying participants of a collaborative network is disclosed. The participants communicate over a larger electronic network wherein not all members may be participating in the collaborative session. The method begins by determining a unique session identifier for only the participants of the collaborative network. Next, a message having the session identifier is sent to all members of the network by an inquiring participant of the collaborative network. Only participants that have the session identifier respond to the inquiring participant. Finally, communication is established between the participants that responded to the message and the inquiring participant. In this regard, a collaborative network is formed including the inquiring participant.

Abstract: The distributed network application management system provides distributed data processing services in a data communication network environment. This system dynamically allocates resources to a processing request that is received from a user application device that has limited processing capabilities using application modules that are machine-independent and network independent to thereby process the received request in the network, yet in a manner that appears to be implemented on the user application device. The distributed network application management system is implemented in a network environment using a kernel that represents the network protocol and the effective processor is dynamically created in the network as capacity becomes available. The applications in this system are distributed via the network without meta code being written for the application.

Abstract: The present invention provides synchronous media playback and messaging between a host user and at least one guest user. The host user wishes to initiate a playback session in which the host user and guest users view a presentation that corresponds to a media file that is locally stored on each of the user's terminals. In order to initiate the playback session, the host user invites the guest users. If a guest user wishes to participate in the playback session, the guest user accepts the invitation. When the host user determines that the session should begin, based upon the acceptances from the guest users, the host user initiates the playback of the media file that is locally stored at each terminal. The present invention also supports playback actions that may occur during the playback session. The host user can terminate the playback session, and any of the guest users can withdraw during the playback session.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a user to define and use custom metadata is disclosed. The method and system include providing a network accessible server with a metadata library comprising a plurality of metadata vocabularies. The server allows the user to create a custom metadata vocabulary by displaying a user interface on a client computer in which the user specifies a plurality of properties defining the custom metadata vocabulary. When the custom metadata vocabulary is defined, it is stored in the metadata library for subsequent access. The method and system further allow the user to search the metadata library to select at least one of the metadata vocabularies to apply to an electronic resource.

Abstract: An application environment including a hosting application, and an application component operative to execute a plurality of ordered processing operations, where the hosting application is operative to effect a first call to the component, thereby invoking operation of the component, the component is operative to execute any of the ordered processing operations in response to the first call until a suspense condition is met, whereupon the component is operative to suspend its operation, maintain execution state information, and return execution control to the hosting application, the hosting application is operative to resolve the suspense condition and effect a second call to the component, and the component is operative to determine whether the suspense condition is resolved and, if so, resume execution of the ordered processing operations from the point of suspension in response to the second call.

Abstract: A networking conferencing and collaboration tool utilizing an enhanced T.128 application sharing protocol. This enhanced protocol is based on a per-host model command, control, and communication structure. This per-host model reduces network traffic, allows greater scalability through dynamic system resource allocation, allows a single host to establish and maintain a share session with no other members present, and supports true color graphics. The per-host model allows private communication between the host and a remote with periodic broadcasts of updates by the host to the entire share group. This per-host model also allows the host to allow, revoke, pause, and invite control of the shared applications. Subsequent passing of control is provided, also with the hosts acceptance. The model contains no fixed limit on the number of participants, and dynamically allocates resources when needed to share or control a shared application. These resources are then freed when no longer needed.

Abstract: A method and associated system for promoting smooth communications in a chat system. A keyword list 3 stores keywords. A keyword-detection module 2 detects the sending of any keyword from another user terminal on any channel. A status-detection section 4, in response to the detection of a keyword, judges user status based on the status of the user terminal. A reporting module 9 sends the user status to the channel on which the keyword was sent. A report destination table 10 correlates the user status report destination with the keyword remark source And stores this information, and the reporting module 9 may report the user status to a report destination determined based on the report destination table. The real-time status of a user called by a keyword is reported, so as to support smoothly conducting conversations held in real time.

Abstract: The user of any of a plurality of personal computers linked over an analog or digital network is able to edit a file in one of the personal computers. This one personal computer is a personal computer capable of multi-tasking which effectively permits multi-user access to the file. The host personal computer effectively performs polling of the remote personal computers for input to be added to the file or functions to be performed on the file. In the analog configuration, the personal computers use high-speed modems and data compression/decompression techniques.

Abstract: Data objects replicated at multiple computers can be synchronized using synchronization messages exchanged over a network. The synchronization messages include a current operation parameter and a previous operation parameter that are processed to determine how and when the replicated data objects should be manipulated. The current operation parameter identifies an operation and associated data to be executed at a receiving computer to synchronize the receiving computer's data object. An execution stage parameter is also sent to identify a correct execution timing for the operation. The previous operation parameter identifies a preceding operation executed by the sending computer, an execution stage at which the preceding operation was executed, and the computer first originating the preceding operation (e.g., an identify of a third computer that first initiated the operation).

Abstract: When multiple nodes in a computer network perform work on a shared entity, such as a database record, an arbitration process is used to ensure changes made by more than one node to the same data is propagated to each of the nodes holding the shared entity and that the changes are applied in the same order on each of the nodes. An arbitration cycle for a particular entity is begun on a node (“instigator”) when the node broadcasts a proposal message for a change to the entity to the other nodes or when the node (“observer”) receives such a proposal message. Multiple nodes can be instigators during a single arbitration cycle. Each node that receives a proposal message sends a response message to the corresponding instigator. The arbitration cycle is closed to additional proposal messages after one instigator has received responses from all the nodes that share the entity.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering news reports based on the occurrence of predefined events in a predetermined news domain. The method comprises acts of collecting domain-specific news information; monitoring the domain-specific news information for the occurrence of one or more predefined events; and upon the occurrence of one of said predefined events, generating a news report relating the predefined event in prose assembled from pre-established templates. Generating a news report may comprise relating the predefined events in prose assembled from pre-established templates in multiple languages.

Abstract: To remotely control a virtual reality creature. A shared server provides a shared virtual reality space to client PCs. An AO server controls a growth parameter of the virtual life object existing in this shared virtual reality space to control autonomous behavior of the virtual life object. A communication server sends a message to a user of each of the client PCs who is the keeper of the virtual life object according to a status transition thereof through telephone or facsimile for example.

Abstract: A Web collaborative browsing system and method using an Internet relay chat (IRC) protocol. A plurality of users can view a Web page of the same address, or uniform resource locator (URL), at the same time through Web browsers run in a plurality of terminals. The users act as clients to an IRC server by means of collaborative browsing client programs installed in the Web browsers. On the basis of these component programs, the users can each construct a desired session or join a pre-constructed session to share the same Web page with other users in the same session. Each of the collaborative browsing client programs is executed in the corresponding Web browser to act to receive an event from the Web browser, create a message corresponding to the received event and send the created message, and to receive a message from the IRC server, analyze the received message and apply a command based on the analysis result to the Web browser.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for multiple users to simultaneously access selected files during an online session. Each of the users has read access to each of the other users' selected files Each user can edit each of the other users' files, although only a single user may edit any file at a given point in time. The invention synchronizes editing control among the users. Each time a user edits a file, the edit is automatically cascaded to all session participants.

Abstract: A composite resource is established that includes a plurality of members. Each of the members is capable of providing a comparable service. A coordinator monitors a state of each member of the composite resource. A component requests the service from the coordinator. The coordinator arranges for the service to be provided to the component by a particular member of the composite resource. When the particular member ceases to be active, the service is automatically provided to the component by another member in the composite resource. A state of the composite resource is maintained independently of the state of each member in the composite resource.

Abstract: The invention relates to an online relay-broadcasting system which enables consumers to enjoy viewing not only regular TV images, but also selectively viewing the images output from a camera selected out of plurality of cameras set up around a stadium by combining into three-dimensional dynamic images while an event is relay-broadcasting on the internet, so that consumers can enjoy the reality of a game by directly editing all the online images captured and out by a plurality of digital cameras set up around a stadium without the labor force and cost needed for relay-broadcastings as well as those which are relay-broadcasted by a TV broadcasting station.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, apparatus, computer program code, user interfaces and means for facilitating online communication.

Abstract: In a conference system, documents such as conference records used in the conference can be made to distribute efficiently without obstructing transmission of the real-time data such as cine image data. Hence, a broadcasting network 8 is provided in addition to communication lines 5, 6, and 7 connecting conference terminals 2, 3, and 4 used by users participating in the conference and a conference control device 1 with a function of distributing real-time data such as cine image data transmitted from the conference terminals 2, 3, and 4 to the other conference terminals 2, 3, and 4 participating in the conference, and each of the conference terminals 2, 3, and 4 is connected to the broadcasting network 8. The conference terminals 2 distributing the conference records to the other conference terminals 3, 4 distributes the conference records to the other destination conference terminals 3, 4 with broadcasting communication through the broadcasting network 8.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a network switch port for providing queuing of data frames as they are transferred from a switch port to an external memory. Multiple buffers within the external memory used to store a single data frame are linked together by writing a next buffer location in each buffer header. Storing linking information within each buffer eliminates the need for a separate memory for storing all the buffer locations used to store a data frame, thereby reducing the complexity and cost of the network switch port.

Abstract: In a network conference system, a promoter terminal 10 has: a speaker selecting section 12 which selects the promoter terminal 10 itself or one of participant terminals 20 and 30, as a speaker terminal which is used by a speaker who makes an announcement in a conference; and a usage function controlling section 13 which, in accordance with a result of the selection by the speaker selecting section 12, controls the speaker terminal and the terminal other than the speaker terminal so that a predetermined application is available only in the speaker terminal. Further, method for using the network conference system is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data processing system and method and, more particularly, to a software TDM bus emulator which emulates the operation of a TDM bus. Often computer aided telephony voice processing applications that require specialised processing services such as DTMF tone detection, facsimile service and voice recognition or synthesis services. Typically, these services are provided via dedicated hardware digital signal processors that communicate using a SONET bus. However, not all computer aided telephony servers have the full range of such specialised hardware resources. Accordingly, the present invention provides a data processing method in which a TDM bus is emulated to periodically execute, using system resources, a number of software data processing resources, which communicate with each other to form a data processing chain. The results of the data processing chain are ultimately returned to the voice application.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer communication system for use over an underlying computer network system, the peer-to-peer communication system comprising: at least two peers, each peer comprising: a Web browser; and a broker interposed between the browser and the underlying computer network system, with the broker being adapted to (1) monitor a first event taking place within the browser, encode the first event and associated changes in a first event message, and push the first event message to the at least one other peer over the underlying computer network system, whereby the at least one other peer can reproduce on the at least one other peer the changes associated with the first event; and (2) receive a second event message from the at least one other peer, where the second event message has been encoded to correspond to a second event and associated changes taking place on the at least one other peer, decode the second event message and push the results to the browser, whereby to recreate the changes associated with the

Abstract: To improve communication efficiency during the updating of a replica, and to reduce the amount of memory required for the updating of a replica. The present invention is a computer for maintaining consistency of replica contents by interchanging data modification with another computer. The computer includes: a replica including shared data; a receiver for receiving, from another computer, a modification request for data included in the replica; and a controller for controlling, regardless of a receiving order of the modification request, for each receipt of the modification request, a timing of update execution for the replica in accordance with the received modification request by using information included in the modification request. The timing of replica updating in accordance with the received modification requests can be determined, regardless of the order in which the modification requests are received, that is, the order of the transmission from other computers.

Abstract: The invention provides an information exchange method allowing for the following: when watching a TV program or the like, a plurality of terminal users in remote locations exchange information, simultaneously watching a visual object displayed on the TV receiver screen, wherein visual information and messages such as chat are linked up. Assuming that two or more terminal devices connect to a computer network and information about content of interest rendered by media is communicated over the network, information to identify the content, target area selected to define a part or all of an object from the content, and messages are sent and received between or across two or more terminals via the computer network.

Abstract: Because the conventional search service with the WWW search engine assumes keyword input by end users, it is impossible for users to request a search by specifying visual information rendered by TV broadcast or from other sources as a search key or, in reverse, issue a search request for a scene of a TV program by specifying a keyword. The disclosed invention provides an information linking method, terminal devices and a server equipment operating, based on this method, a computer program of the method, and a method of charging for services feasible by the method. This method makes the following possible: linking visual information distributed by TV broadcast or over a computer network with text information such as keywords; and searching WWW sites/pages with a search key of visual information such as an visual object on a image from a TV program or, in reverse, searching for a scene of a TV program from a keyword.

Abstract: Data are sent and received between a video game machine as a data processing apparatus with no radio communication function and an external device with a radio communication function. A portable computer is removably connected to the video game machine which processes data. A communication application and a radio communication driver for enabling radio communications between the portable computer and the external device are supplied from the video game machine to the portable computer, and stored into a memory of the portable computer. The portable computer supplied with the communication application and the radio communication driver enables the video game machine and the external device to send and receive data therebetween via the portable computer.