Abstract: The application describes a method for sending data which involves the reception by a communication device of a first piece of information which represents the first change in a data record and of a first data change indicator associated with the first change in the data record, making by the communication device of a second change in the first changed data record to generate a second changed data record, the ascertainment by the communication device of a second data change indicator based on the first data change indicator, and sending by the communication device of a second piece of information which represents the second change in the first changed data record to produce the second changed data record, and of the second data change indicator.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, algorithms, and software for distributed control and/or configuration of network switching devices. The apparatus generally comprises a plurality of network I/O ports, a local control I/O port, and a controller configured to, when the apparatus is a master, receive control input data from at least one of the network I/O ports, process the control input data, and provide control output data to at least one of the network I/O ports, and when the apparatus is a slave, receive the control input data from the local control I/O port, provide the control input data to at least one of the network I/O ports, receive the control output data from at least one of the network I/O ports, and provide the control output data to the local control I/O port. The present disclosure advantageously enables control and/or configuration of a stack of network switch devices by communicating through a local control port of at least one of the devices in the stack.

Abstract: A data collecting method and a master device and a slave device therefor are provided. The method includes the following steps. The slave device receives an environment voice and accordingly generates an audio data. The slave device outputs the audio data through packets of a predetermined format according to a control area network protocol. The master device receives the audio data.

Abstract: A method for metering on-demand service (ODS) resource consumption by a user comprising a web services interface, a processing engine, and configuration data. A data gathering agent in the ODS stores the usage data in records, combines the records into packets, and transmits the packets to the web services interface. The web services interface passes the packets onto the processing engine, which stores the records in the packet into a database. The generalized format of the record is critical because it allows the metrics to be stored in the record table with the usage data. When a record contains an instruction to close a UOW, the processing engine applies the configuration data comprising composition rules and record selection rules to the database. The record selection rules select the desired records from the database. The composition rules aggregate, normalize, and compose the selected records to produce a metric.

Abstract: A cache module (26) at a client computer (12) controls a cache portion (28) on a storage device (24). The cache module communicates with other cache modules at other clients to form a cache community (15). The cache modules store World Wide Web or other content in the cache portions for retrieval in response to requests (32) for content from browsers (30) in the cache community. When the requested content is not available in the cache community, the requested content may be retrieved from an origin server (19) using the Internet.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention for maintaining network data distribution are provided. Network data may be distributed in such as manner as to allow a network session to weather interrupted communications between host and clients without significant loss of data. Embodiments of the present invention provide for one or more clients to serve as backup host(s) for the network session. When the other clients transmit data to the host, they may also transmit the data to one or more backup hosts if there are any indications of interrupted communication.

Abstract: Data communication sub-slots of a cycle in a time division mode are allocated to communication apparatuses; a maintenance communication sub-slot is allocated to the communication apparatus operating as a master communication apparatus; the communication apparatuses perform data communication with the use of the data communication sub-slots allocated thereto; and the communication apparatus uses the maintenance communication sub-slot to change or monitor information about the communication of the communication apparatuses in the time division mode.

Abstract: The location of group members having mobile communications devices such as cellular telephones, PDAs, and the like are managed by maintaining group member location awareness among the individual group members. The location of each group member is known on the basis of the determined location of the mobile communications device of each, either in absolute terms or in relative terms. The absolute and/or relative location may be reported by the mobile communications devices, such as to a mobile communications device of an administrator of the group or directly to individual group members. Rules may be established for providing notifications such as alerts and alarms to the group members when a group member strays from the group or from a fixed reference point and information may be provided to the straying member to assist the straying member in returning to the group.

Abstract: A first processing session is entered with a POP client. A set of messages from a message repository is identified as available for access by the POP client. When the POP client causes a message to be deleted from the message repository (either by explicit or implicit actions), the message is removed from the set of messages available for access by the POP client but maintained for access by another POP client or by another messaging program. The messages available may be limited by a session size and they may be ordered newest to oldest. In some instances messages are part of conversations and the number of conversation from which the message may be drawn is limited.

Abstract: Illustrative methods, apparatuses and software are described for searching for an ID of a slave node within a communication network, such as a single-wire communication network. Also, illustrative embodiments of a master node and a slave node are described.

Abstract: A master/slave decision device applied to a first network device is provided, where the first network device is coupled to a second network device, and the master/slave decision device includes a seed distance detection unit and a decision unit. The seed distance decision unit is utilized for detecting a seed distance between a first seed utilized in a first scrambler of the first network device and a second seed utilized in a second scrambler of the second network device. The decision unit is coupled to the seed distance detecting unit, and is utilized for determining the first network device to be a master device or a slave device according to the seed distance.

Abstract: A rich-media system allows a user to illustrate damage and request payment in accordance with an insurance policy or another arrangement. The rich-media system includes network servers that may operate and appear to remote client applications and remote computers as if the network servers were a single computer. A damage indicator tool resident to one of the network servers enables a remote user to visually illustrate damage to an item through a rich-media application. The damage indicator may support a relative pointing device and an absolute pointing device. An incident animator tool linked to the damage indicator tool in some rich media systems enables the remote user to visually recreate an event in a second rich media application. An optional scheduler linked to the incident animator tool and the damage indicator tool may enable the remote user to schedule an appointment to have the damage inspected or repaired.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, in which the image forming apparatus includes service modules for performing system side processes on image formation, wherein applications can be added to the image forming apparatus separately from the service modules, and the image forming apparatus includes an application launch part for referring to launch selection information indicating at least a location that stores one or more applications, and launching the one or more applications from the at least a location according to the launch selection information.

Abstract: A method for managing instant messaging interruptions may include comparing at least one term in an instant message to a plurality of terms in a no-response-required (NRR) library. The method may also include representing the instant message as an instant message agent character (IMAC) in response to a match between at least one term in the instant message and at least one of the plurality of terms in the NRR library.

Abstract: A DRM interoperable system is provided. The DRM interoperable system includes: a domain manager which manages a domain; first and second devices which are authenticated by the domain manager and registered in the domain; and a control unit which gathers information on entities that are to participate in transmission of data when the first device requests the second device to transmit the data, controls at least two entities so that a chain including the at least two entities is constructed by using the gathered information on the entities, and controls the at least two entities so that a plurality of data is transmitted to the second device through the chain. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a DRM interoperable environment in which data can be effectively transmitted.

Abstract: A secret sharing apparatus according to the present invention is based on a (k,n)-threshold scheme with a threshold of at least 4 but is still operational with a threshold of at least 2. The secret sharing apparatus generates a generator matrix (G) of GF(2) in which any k of n column vectors are at a full rank, divides secret information into n?1 pieces to generate divided secret data (K(1), . . . , K(n?1)), generates random data (U(0,1), . . . , U(k?2,n?1)), calculates the product of matrixes of the divided secret data, the random data, and the generator matrix (G), assigns the j×(n?1)+ith column of the calculation result to sharing partial data (D(j,i)) to calculate sharing partial data (D(j,1)), generates header information (H(j)), and individually distributes n pieces of sharing information (D(0), . . . , D(n?1)) made up of the header information (H(j)) and sharing partial data (D(j,i)) to n storage apparatuses.

Abstract: Upon receipt of a network connection request, a CPU core of a game device randomly sets a master device search period, and searches for a master device or a temporary master device until the master device search period ends. When the master device search period ends, the CPU core randomly sets a temporary master process period, and causes the game device to act as a temporary master until the temporary master process period ends. The CPU core alternately repeats the master device search and the temporary master process. The game device is caused to act as a slave device if any game device acting as the master device or temporary master device is found during the master device search period. Alternatively, the game device is caused to act as a master device if a connection request from another game device is received during the temporary master process period. Thus, it is possible to automatically construct a wireless network with one master device and one or more slave devices.

Abstract: A secret sharing device of (k, n) threshold scheme creates a generator matrix G, first divided secret data, and random number data, calculates shared partial data based on the product of matrices with the random number data, the divided secret data, and the generator matrix G, and delivers the shared information formed by the shared partial data and the header information individually to the storage units. The secret sharing device calculates a recovery matrix and multiplies the shared information by the recovery matrix, hence to recover the secret information.

Abstract: A wireless sensor network system and a cluster management method thereof. The wireless sensor network system includes at least one cluster having at least one sensor node for collecting sensing data, and a cluster head for aggregating the sensing data from the at least one sensor node. A sink node collects the aggregated sensing data from the at least one cluster, wherein the cluster head of a first cluster determines a cluster size of the first cluster, and when the first cluster is a master cluster and the cluster size of the first cluster is less than a threshold size, merges, the first cluster into a second master cluster, and switches the first cluster to a slave cluster. In each cluster, management efficiency can thereby be maintained within a specified range, and the lifetime of a wireless sensor network can be prolonged by reducing energy consumption.

Abstract: Computational grids have traditionally not scaled effectively due to administrative hurdles to resource and user participation. Most production grids are essentially multi-site supercomputer centers, rather than truly open and heterogeneous sets of resources that can join and leave dynamically, and that can provide support for an equally dynamic set of users. Large-scale grids containing individual resources with more autonomy about when and how they join and leave will require self-organizing grid middleware services that do not require centralized administrative control. Dynamic discovery of high-performance variable-size clusters of grid nodes provides an effective solution for implementation of grids. A brute force approach to the problem of identifying these “ad-hoc clusters” would require excessive overhead in terms of both message exchange and computation.

Abstract: System and method for seamless roaming over scalable wide area Wireless LAN networks (WAWLAN) with clientless mobile subscribers. A preferred embodiment comprises a wireless gateway (WG) coupled to one or more access points in a wireless network to form a wireless cluster (WC), a network access gateway (NAG) coupled to a wired network, and a switch coupled to the WG and the NAG. Each wireless cluster is a Wireless LAN Network (WLAN) with homogenous or heterogeneous network architecture. The WG detects mobile nodes in a wireless cluster and tracks mobile node location in the wireless cluster. The NAG is an anchor point for mobile nodes in the WAWLAN and maintains a fixed source of information about each mobile node regardless of their mobility. The switch provides connectivity between the NAG and the WG. Seamless roaming across Wireless LAN network boundary by mobile subscribers without requiring special mobility enabling client software.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand-held device comprising connection means for supporting an internet data transmission link between the hand-held device and the internet; browser means for fetching internet data from the internet; input means for receiving a user input; and generating means for generating a command script in response to said user input, where said command script is related to said searched internet data; where said command script, when the hand-held device is connected to a multimedia home device, can be processed to initiate a transmission of at least part of said searched internet data and/or other internet data to said multimedia home device.

Abstract: A system for remote operation of the computer software applications, the system including a remote application controller for associating a master control with both a master application and a master action associated with the master application, and a command receiver/implementer for associating a slave control with both a slave application and a slave action associated with the slave application, where the remote application controller commands the command receiver/implementer to perform the slave action in connection with the performing of the master action.

Abstract: A remote wireless device is provided that operates a user interface specific to a particular target application or device. The wireless device receives information regarding the status or operation of the target's application, and uses that information to determine what information and controls to present to the remote user. The remote user views information regarding the target application, and makes desired control selections using the available controls. The wireless device generates a message according to the control selections, and transmits the message to the target device. The target device acts responsive to the control message, and updated operational information may be sent to the remote wireless device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing a download and upload service using variable length packet communication in a living network control system. A user located inside or outside a house controls or monitors operations or operation states of various appliances such as refrigerator or laundry machine through a living network installed at home, such as a RS-485 network, small output network, or power line network so that convenience of remote control and supervision can be provided to a user. Further, in a case where a download or upload service is executed in a living network in which various appliances connected thereto, variable length packet communication, which is capable of dividing data by the buffer size of a device, and then sending and assembling the data, is used so that a download and upload service for various appliances connected through the living network can be effectively executed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products manage access to and update warehouse data associated with one or multiple online data systems. A security role is established for each user of warehouse operation functions associated with the online data system. A method involves examining warehouse data and updating a status of warehouse operations, detecting a security role of a current user accessing the data system, and rendering warehouse operation functions and the status via an interface. The method further involves receiving a selection of one of the warehouse operation functions, determining whether the security role of the current user authorizes access to the warehouse operation function selected, and prohibiting access to the warehouse operation function selected in response to determining the security role does not authorize access to the selected warehouse operation function.

Abstract: A method and system for placing, displaying and printing email strings in different chronological orders.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a text message and identifying address card information within the message. A reduced version of the message is displayed by replacing the address card information of the message with an address card indicia. The receiving, identifying and displaying steps are performed by an electronic communication device.

Abstract: A communication management system is consisted of a plurality of apparatuses connected to a network. Each apparatus comprises: a transmitter that transmits first setting information representing all setting status of own apparatus to the other apparatuses connected to the network; a receiver that receives second setting information representing all setting status of the other apparatuses connected to the network from the other apparatuses; and a storing device that stores the first and the second setting information. Desired data relating to all the devices connected to the network can be confirmed quickly.

Abstract: Described herein are various methods and systems relating to the unification of media devices, and more specifically to the provision of wireless audio systems. In overview, two or more wireless speaker subsystem units substantially autonomously form a single wireless audio system having its own control interface. This control interface is used to apply operational changes across the wireless audio system, such as volume adjustment. That is, an operational change may be applied to the system as a whole, and this change is subsequently implemented by each of the individual wireless speaker subsystem units.

Abstract: An open network system transacts communication over on open network. The system includes an input device associated with a non-standard I/O device for obtaining communication transaction data and a client program for generating a communication transaction message in an extended open network protocol with the communication transaction data.

Abstract: A networking method and apparatus for managing information between a master device and a slave device is provided. In the network, a master device and at least one slave device are connected to each other via an RS-232 port. Through the operation of the network, the master device can obtain the identifiers (IDs) of the slave devices, and connections among the slave devices can be ascertained. Accordingly, a majority of digital home appliances establish a network using a communication medium, such as RS-232 provided to a fundamental external interface. The present invention enables digital home appliances connected on the network to exchange information.

Abstract: A method of clustering communication nodes based on network attributes such as network delays and forwarding capacity; on communication interest attributes; and on application attributes such as quality of service preferences/constraints in providing communications between users and application servers. A multi-attribute communication feature vector is formed. That vector is comprised of network attributes, communication interests attributes, and quality of service requirements and is used to form efficient group communication mechanisms for distributed collaborative applications. Then the multi-attribute communication feature vectors are clustered. The clustering methods for multi-type attribute feature vectors are: iterative clustering using a generalized distance space with normalized attribute subspace metrics; fusion clustering, and nested clustering.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of managing a distributed computer system, comprising a group of nodes. The method comprises the following steps: a. sending a candidates master message from a given one of the node to other nodes in the group (906), b. recording receipt in the given node of candidate master messages from other nodes, until a first end-of-receipt condition is met, and c. upon receipt of candidate master message from other nodes at step b., starting in the given node a master election scheme between the given node and such other nodes having sent candidate master messages. The invention also relates to a corresponding distributed computer system.

Abstract: A cache module (26) at a client computer (12) controls a cache portion (28) on a storage device (24). The cache module communicates with other cache modules at other clients to form a cache community (15). The cache modules store World Wide Web or other content in the cache portions for retrieval in response to requests (32) for content from browsers (30) in the cache community. When the requested content is not available in the cache community, the requested content may be retrieved from an origin server (19) using the Internet.

Abstract: An IP-based KVM (IKVM) switch system includes a plurality of control centers connected by a network via respective routers. A group of IKVM switches is connected to each router. Each IKVM switch is connected to a plurality of remote computers. Each control center stores system configuration information regarding all other control centers, including their IP addresses, port information, information about the IKVM switches managed by them, and (optionally) the remote computers connected to each IKVM switch. The control centers use a master-slave scheme to share the configuration information among them. When a client logs on to any control center, all IKVM in the system are displayed on a UI so that the client can select any IKVM or (optionally) remote computer for access. The control centers perform necessary functions to facilitate the access to the select IKVM or remote computer by the client.

Abstract: A method of wirelessly networking a system of at least first and second communication nodes includes obtaining a common power source for the at least first and second communication nodes, switching on the common power source, and establishing a power-up time. Each of the first and second communication nodes is capable of tracking the time since the power-up time. The method includes sending a start signal from one of the first and second communication nodes, wherein the start signal occurs after the power-up time and includes at least information of the elapsed time since the power up time. The method includes networking the other of the first and second communication nodes with the one of the first and second communication nodes sending the start signal, if the elapsed time of the other of the first and second communication nodes approximately matches the elapsed time provided in the start signal.

Abstract: According to this invention, there is provided an image printing system which causes a plurality of image printing apparatuses to share and concurrently process an image printing job for outputting a plurality of prints based on image printing conditions and image information supplied from an information processing apparatus. In the image printing system of the invention, each of the image printing apparatuses interactively connected to each other has a proof/wait selection function of selecting a proof mode of outputting a single print or a wait mode of displaying image printing conditions and waiting. A master machine to which image printing conditions and image information are supplied from an information processing apparatus executes image printing operation in the proof mode or wait mode, and transfers the image printing conditions and image information to another image printing apparatus.

Abstract: A method for handling watchdog events of an electronic device includes detecting a watchdog fault in a normal mode, which is a watchdog event in which a watchdog trigger is not correctly serviced; entering from the normal mode into a first escalation level of nx escalation levels upon detection of the watchdog fault, wherein nx is an integer equal to or greater than 1; detecting correct watchdog events, which are watchdog events in which a watchdog trigger is correctly serviced; and concurrently detecting watchdog faults, leaving the first escalation level if a first escalation condition is met. An electronic device embodiment includes a CPU and program instructions for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method for handling watchdog events of an electronic device includes detecting a watchdog fault in a normal mode, which is a watchdog event in which a watchdog trigger is not correctly serviced; entering from the normal mode into a first escalation level of nx escalation levels upon detection of the watchdog fault, wherein nx is an integer equal to or greater than 1; detecting correct watchdog events, which are watchdog events in which a watchdog trigger is correctly serviced; and concurrently detecting watchdog faults, leaving the first escalation level if a first escalation condition is met, and recovering in a recovering step back from any of the nx escalation levels to a previous level or mode, if a de-escalation condition is met. An electronic device embodiment includes a CPU and program instructions for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and reducing botnet activity includes tracking the number of connections to a destination address over predetermined periods of time. A persistence value is assigned to the destination address based on the number of time periods during which the destination address was connected. The persistence value is compared to a threshold value and an alert is generated if the persistence value is greater than the threshold value. Known safe destinations may be entered into a whitelist.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and analyzing at least one signal are disclosed. An abstract of at least one reference signal is generated and stored in a reference database. An abstract of a query signal to be analyzed is then generated so that the abstract of the query signal can be compared to the abstracts stored in the reference database for a match. The method and system may optionally be used to record information about the query signals, the number of matches recorded, and other useful information about the query signals. Moreover, the method by which abstracts are generated can be programmable based upon selectable criteria. The system can also be programmed with error control software so as to avoid the re-occurrence of a query signal that matches more than one signal stored in the reference database.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes identifying a plurality of network elements for reinitiation, wherein the network elements are operative to manage at least one child element; selecting a first network element from the plurality of network elements, transmitting a disable message to the first network element; determining whether the at least one child element has migrated to one or more alternate network elements; and conditionally transmitting a reinitiation message to the first network element.

Abstract: The present invention provides for relocatable virtual ports for accessing external storage.

Abstract: Communicating packets along a bearer path includes receiving a home network address and a visited network address at an access terminal. The home network address corresponds to a home anchored bearer path anchored at a home network of the access terminal. The visited network address corresponds to a visited anchored bearer path anchored at a visited network. The access terminal determines whether to use the home anchored bearer path or the visited anchored bearer path, and communicates packets using the home network address or the visited network address in accordance with the determination.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for a message object that simultaneously exposes an XML view and Type view for a message infoset. In this embodiment, interaction with a message can occur using either an XML or Type application program interface (API), which are synced. More specifically, embodiments herein provide or expose a common set of headers (e.g., SOAP headers) as “typed” properties (e.g., CLR properties), which allow for getting and/or setting a value thereof. In other words, the Type API reads/writes values for typed properties without regard to how the message is encoded with XML. Moreover, the two APIs are synced such that a value can be set using one API and retrieved using the other. For example, an XML API may be used as a writing mechanism for interacting with a value, while the Type API can read that same value, and vise-versa.

Abstract: A host device (1) adds host function information indicating a function of the host device (1) to a command and transmits it to a storage device (2). The storage device (2) receives the command transmitted from the host device (1) and determines whether the function indicated by the host function information can be processed. When the function can be processed, the function is processed based on the command. When the function cannot be processed, no response is returned or error information is returned. Thus, under simple control, it is possible to prevent data destruction by a host device of an old version.

Abstract: There is provided a slave network interface circuit for improving the parallelism of an On-Chip network, including: a MUX for selecting one of a Write Address inputted from the On-Chip network and a Read Address to read data from a slave module, which is inputted from a slave network interface (SNI) controller, in response to the control of the SNI controller and inputs the selected address to the slave module; and the SNI controller for controlling writing and reading data at the slave module and generating a Read Address to store data read from the slave module and to transfer to the On-Chip network.

Abstract: A printing apparatus connected to an external apparatus for temporarily storing a print job including a plurality of pages of image data, receives image data related to the print job from the external apparatus and performs printing using the received image data, comprising a storage unit for temporarily storing the image data received from the external apparatus, a printing unit for performing printing using the image data stored in the storage unit, a determination unit for determining an amount of free area in the storage unit and a control unit for performing a control to switch storage of the image data in the storage unit from storing all of the pages of the image data to storing some of the pages of the image data, in response to the amount of free area determined becoming smaller than a predetermined area during printing.

Abstract: A system that concurrently provides multiple user interface (UI) mechanisms that facilitate control of an application state machine (e.g., unified message system). More particularly, the invention can create two relatively distinct user experiences, one via dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) navigation and another through speech recognition navigation of a unified message system. In accordance therewith, one single underlying state machine can be used. Navigation and flow control (e.g., state transitions) in the state machine can be leveraged by multiple UI mechanisms that actively co-exist. The invention introduces speech recognition features together with other input mechanisms to drive the UI of an application state machine (e.g., unified messaging system). The speech recognition UI can be designed to provide a natural navigation through the application independent of a DTMF UI.