Abstract: A field mountable interface module is provided. The intelligent interface module includes at least one data connection port configured to couple to a data communication network as well as at least one process communication connection port configured to couple to a field device bus. The intelligent interface module also includes a controller and memory coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to provide a higher order function with respect to one or more field devices and/or field device buses. Higher order functions include calibration support, complex device support, diagnostic support, distributed control system support, and virtual field device functions.

Abstract: Access to media content is restricted. A message may be sent to a remote computer requesting access to the media content, wherein the message is based at least in part on user input. A response to the message may be received from the remote computer. It may be determined whether to provide access to the media content based on the response.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for improving name services in a fiber channel fabric. Either a world wide name or an alias can be used to uniquely identify a device such as a storage device on a fiber channel fabric. World wide name and alias associations are maintained in an alias database that is synchronized on connected fiber channel switches in a physical fiber channel fabric. Devices can be moved from one switch to another while maintaining alias and world wide name associations.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting a running logic circuit simulation to a network running at a higher speed that includes a computer for receiving data packets from the network and storing the received data packets in a first buffer. The computer next transmits the received data packets to an electronic circuit in the logic circuit simulation at a slower speed. The computer also receives data packets from the electronic device under simulation, and stores the data packets received from the electronic device under simulation in a second buffer. The computer then transmits the data packets received from the electronic device under simulation to the network at a higher speed.

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: In one embodiment, a solution is provided wherein a lock client sends lock requests to a lock manager upon receipt of an input/output (I/O) and receives back a lock grant. At some point later, the lock client may send a lock release. The lock manager, upon receipt of a lock release from a lock client, remove a first lock request corresponding to the lock release from a lock grant queue corresponding to the lock manager. Then, for each dependency queue lock request in a dependency queue corresponding to the first lock request, the lock manager may determine whether the dependency queue lock request conflicts with a second lock request in the lock grant queue, and then may process the dependency queue lock request according to whether the dependency queue lock requires conflicts with a second lock request in the lock grant queue.

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 transactional file system wherein multiple file system operations may be performed as a transaction. An application specifies that file system-related operations are to be handled as a transaction, and the application is given a file handle associated with a transaction context. For file system requests associated with a transaction context, a file system component manages operations consistent with transactional behavior. Transactions over a network are facilitated. Remote files may be accessed within a transaction via a redirector protocol. A redirector on a client computer system communicates with an agent on a server computer system to relay and maintain transactional information on both systems.

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: 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 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: Methods and apparatuses for providing access to data in a cluster database are described. Embodiments of the invention include identifying situations in which many nodes require relatively equal access to a data block, and taking appropriate measures to improve the performance of the system in these situations. For example, a node may automatically downgrade its lock from an X lock to an S lock as soon as it has finished a modification of the data. S locks are sent to other nodes in the system as soon as a modification is complete. Modifications to the data are also sent to other nodes in the system as soon as a modification is complete. Depending on the size of the data modification, the entire data block may be sent, or only the modifications to the data may be sent.

Abstract: Memory consistency is provided in an emulated processing environment. A processor architected with a weak memory consistency emulates an architecture having a firm memory consistency. This memory consistency is provided without requiring serialization instructions or special hardware.

Abstract: Multiple peer groups for performing computing, communication, and/or storage tasks. A method may be performed for example, in a computing environment including one or more agents networked together. The method includes providing data to the agents using two or more distinct peer groups. The peer groups include members from among the agents. The method further includes performing at each of the peer groups operations on the data. Each peer group is configured to perform a specific operation. The method also includes coordinating the operations at each of the peer groups such that a common computing, communication and/or storage task is accomplished by aggregating the operations at each of the peer groups.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking media is disclosed. A tracking device package includes a container for shipping media and a tracker coupled to the container wherein access to the media is monitored electronically by the tracker to enable media access. The tracker can be a combination of a GPS system, for determining the location of the media, and a mobile phone for communicating the location to interested parties. The tracker can verify the location of the container and the length of time that the container has been at a particular site. If anomalies are detected with respect to the location and/or the length of time that a container has been located at a particular site, then the tracker can report this information back to the owner of the media being tracked through a central repository and database system.

Abstract: A transmission cancellation section is provided on a bus connecting a master and a slave. During a reset of the master, the transmission cancellation section blocks the bus so that an invalid command flowing on the bus does not reach the slave and executes, instead of the master stopped by the reset operation, generation of data which corresponds to an access request command already output to the slave and is to be sent to the slave and receiving of data from the slave.

Abstract: A system and method persistently stores lock state information associated with a file system within a storage system. Received operations that modify lock state information are stored in a non-volatile log (NVLog) within a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) of the storage system. During a consistency point (CP), entries from the NVLog are committed to a lock file. In the event of an error condition, lock state information may be recovered from the lock file, thereby enabling rapid reconstruction of the lock state prior to the error condition.

Abstract: A method and system for filtering email spam using email noise reduction are described. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting, in an email message, data indicative of noise added to the email message to avoid spam filtering. The method further includes modifying the content of the email message to reduce the noise, and comparing the modified content of the email message with the content of a spam message.

Abstract: A method for providing multiple media access control (MAC) addresses in a device of a master/slave system may include providing a first MAC address in a MAC address storage of the device. The method may also include providing a second MAC address in a multicast table entry of a multicast hash filter of the device.

Abstract: A method and system for searching messages is disclosed that includes searching a message repository to identify a plurality of conversations that each include at least one message that is relevant to a search query. Alternatively, conversations as a whole may be relevant to a search query rather than individual messages. Each of the plurality of the identified conversations includes one or more messages sharing a common set of characteristics that meet predefined criteria and a conversation identifier. A list of conversations is created representing at least a subset of the identified conversations and a conversation is selected from that list. In that selected conversation, first messages are differentiated from second messages which may differentiate portions of text or messages that are relevant to the search query from those that are not.

Abstract: Disclosed is provided an apparatus and a method for operating a macro command and inputting a macro command, wherein the apparatus including a storing unit storing control signals received from a control device for selecting of a menu item of a host device, a creating unit creating the macro command combined with the control signals, and an executing unit reading the macro command and executing functions corresponding to the respective menu item of the host device according to a combination sequence of the control signals included in the read macro command.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a solution is provided wherein a lock client sends lock requests to a lock manager upon receipt of an input/output (I/O) and receives back a lock grant. At some point later, the lock client may send a lock release. The lock manager, upon receipt of a lock release from a lock client, remove a first lock request corresponding to the lock release from a lock grant queue corresponding to the lock manager. Then, for each dependency queue lock request in a dependency queue corresponding to the first lock request, the lock manager may determine whether the dependency queue lock request conflicts with a second lock request in the lock grant queue, and then may process the dependency queue lock request according to whether the dependency queue lock requires conflicts with a second lock request in the lock grant queue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, system and computer readable recording medium for determining a major group in a network split-brain situation that occurs in a network-based distributed computing environment. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of determining a major group among at least two groups created by splitting an initial group consisting of a plurality of nodes in a network-based distributed environment, the method comprising the steps of comparing the number of nodes included in a first group with the number of nodes included in a second group; acquiring history information of the nodes included in the first and second groups; and determining whether the first group or the second group is the major group using at least one of a result of comparing the number of nodes and the history information.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling a system that operates responsive to a plurality of input control signals are disclosed. During operation the system generates a plurality of output status/control signals. A master controller has at least first and second controllers. The first controller outputs and inputs signals over a first communication path, and the second controller outputs and inputs signals over a second communication path. The first and second controllers output signals based on input signals received over the first and second communication paths, respectively, and also based on stored control data. A plurality of input/output modules are provided. Each of the input/output modules has first and second slave controllers. The first slave controller of each of the input/output modules inputs and outputs signals over the first communication path to the first controller, and the second slave controller outputs and inputs signals over the second communication path.

Abstract: A data structure is provided for preventing access, in a computer system, to a data object having an identifier (ID). The data structure comprises a first lock object, in which the ID of the data object is stored, and in which a link to a storage location of the data object is assigned to the ID, and a second lock object, in which the ID of the data object is stored. In one embodiment, the ID is stored in the second lock object before storing the ID in the first lock object or before assigning the storage location of the data object to the ID in first lock object. Further, the ID is deleted from the second lock object after storing the ID in the first lock object or after assigning the storage location of the data object to the ID in the first lock object. The data object may be accessible by a software application, whereby the access of the software application to the data object is prevented if the ID is stored in the first or second lock object.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a data resource is disclosed, which can operate across LANs and a WAN. The technique temporarily imposes an extended lock on the requested data resource. While the extended lock is in force, all lock and unlock requests issued by the same client for the resource are managed exclusively by the local server. Once the last lock has been released, or after a timeout interval, the extended lock is canceled. Traffic across the WAN is reduced to a minimum of one round trip.

Abstract: A method of controlling concurrent users of a distributed resource on a network is disclosed. In one aspect, there are one or more local lock managers executing on corresponding hosts and cooperating as a distributed lock manager. The resource is limited to a maximum number of concurrent users. A user identification for each user is associated with one host. In response to a request associated with a particular user associated with a first host, a lock is requested from a first local lock manager process executing on the first host. A related method of handling a request for a count-limited resource includes receiving a request from a client process for the computer resource. If it is determined that the request exceeds a maximum count for the resource, then it is determined whether a current time is within a retry time period of the client's first request.

Abstract: File systems which provide several different and improved locking capabilities. An application on a client workstation communicates through a client driver to a server which interfaces with a metadata database, which contains locking information about the files. Applications perform as normal. The client driver provides lock and unlock requests to the server when a write lock or a read with intent to write lock is required. If only a read lock is considered appropriate, the client driver does not provide a lock request. The server transparently performs read operations and read locking using the metadata database without specific requests from the client driver. When a read with intent to write or write lock is required, the lock ownership is placed with a given expiration time. When the time expires the lock is not automatically released but remains with the particular requesting client driver until another client driver requests it.

Abstract: A system, method, and program product are provided that identifies a remote stored procedure stored in a remote database management system, and automatically generates a local stored procedure stored in a local database management system. To automatically generate the local stored procedure, local and remote metadata are gathered corresponding, respectively, to a local database management system and a remote database management system. The remote metadata is used to create a call statement to the remote stored procedure. The created invocation method maps input values, input to the local stored procedure, to input parameters of the remote stored procedure. Results in the local stored procedure are set by mapping the data returned from the remote stored procedure to the corresponding return values (e.g., parameters and result sets) in the local stored procedure values.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preventing an IP address from being assigned to a client implementing a protocol such as DHCP are disclosed. This is particularly useful in an environment such as a Mobile IP environment in which a network device (e.g., Access Point) performs proxy registration on behalf of the client. When the client transmits a detection packet to detect whether its IP address is still valid (e.g., whether it is on the same sub-network on which the IP address was allocated), a response is transmitted to the client that indicates that the client is still on its home network. This response is transmitted regardless of whether the client is still on its home network. Since the client believes it is still on its home network, a new IP address will not be assigned to the client. As a result, an existing Mobile IP session will not be interrupted.

Abstract: A system for supervisor partitioning of client resources in a subnet communications environment includes a plurality of client nodes, each receiving an allocated set of resources determined by a central authority, which assigns resources to a supervisor key associated with each supervisor of the plurality of client nodes. At each of the client nodes, the allocated set of resources are partitioned using a local supervisor associated therewith, with each supervisor associating one or more resource keys with one or more resources allocated to the corresponding client node, and assigning the one or more resource keys to the one or more applications. The supervisor keys are configured so as to prevent a given supervisor from partitioning resources not allocated to the client node associated therewith. Following the partitioning, communication packets are issued from the one or more applications to a resource provider node without inspection by the corresponding supervisor.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a system, having a control unit defined as a master and a number of control units defined as slaves, with the aid of a monitoring module, in which in reply to an inquiry from the master and the slaves a response is given in each instance and a joint response provided on the basis of these responses is checked by the monitoring module.

Abstract: A version control system for managing versioned files comprises a central server storing a repository of the versioned files. At least one proxy is connected to the central server. Each proxy includes a read-only cache for storing data from the repository. At least one client is connected to each of the proxies. Modifications to the versioned files may only be made by the central server.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to providing a plurality of logical nodes in a telecommunications node. A plurality of control processors are configured to manage data routing paths for the logical nodes. Each logical node can be associated with a different entity.

Abstract: A communication system is provided that includes a controller system (1), a master control (2) and at least one slave control (3). The controller system and the master control (2) are connected via a multipole connection (4). The master control (2) is adapted to receive a multipole signal via the multipole connection (4) and output an addressed signal to at least one slave control (3) via an addressable connection (7, 17). This application also discloses a method of controlling a plurality of fluid flow controls using an output (40) comprising an actuation signal arrangement (41, 41?) and an actuator (42, 42?) associated with each fluid flow control.

Abstract: A messaging scheme to synchronize processes within a distributed memory multiprocessing computer system having two or more processing nodes interconnected using an interconnect structure of dual-unidirectional links. Each unidirectional link forms a point-to-point interconnect to transfer packetized information between two processing nodes. A lock acquisition request from a lock requesting node is placed into service by an arbitrating node when no previous lock requests are pending for service. The arbitrating node transmits a broadcast message to all nodes in the system, which, in turn, respond with a corresponding probe response message to inform the arbitrating node of cessation of issuance of new requests by the node sending the probe response message. The arbitrating node informs the lock requesting node of the requesting node's lock ownership by transmitting a target done message thereto.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method provides for receiving via a processor a query of at least two terms, presenting a node for each term in a graphical display, positioning a cursor in the graphical display, displaying a list of results, repositioning a cursor in the graphical display based on a user input, and displaying a new list of results based on the relative weightings of at least one term associated with its node in a new processing of the query. The method also provides for receiving via a processor a query, presenting a plurality of nodes in a graphical display where each node is associated with a search engine, displaying results from processing the query using the search engine associated with the nodes, repositioning a cursor in the graphical display, and displaying a new list of results where repositioning the cursor changes the relative weightings of the search engine associated with its node.

Abstract: A data intermediate server 300 comprises the functions of reading data stored in storage servers ST1 through ST3 and sending the data to a media server 600 according to backup commands received from a backup control device 400 over a local area network LAN4. The data intermediate server 300 and the storage servers ST1 through ST3 are connected by channels that do not permit Internet protocol traffic but only data targeted for backup and control data assigned thereto. As a result, client data stored on the storage servers can be properly backed up while preventing data from being improperly retrieved or leaked.

Abstract: A distributed computing system conforms to a multi-level, hierarchical organizational model. One or more control nodes provide for the efficient and automated allocation and management of computing functions and resources within the distributed computing system in accordance with the organization model. A user, such as a system administrator, interacts with the control nodes to logically define the hierarchical organization of distributed computing system. The control node includes an automation subsystem having one or more rule engines that provide autonomic control of the application nodes in accordance with a set of one or more rules. A pluggable, application-specific application matrix is selected and installed within the control node. The application matrix contains a logical definition of the applications, and parameters for controlling the deployment of the applications within the distributed computing system.

Abstract: A method, system and article of manufacture for determining whether a presentation space (PS) is completely built in a TN3270 environment. In general, a TN3270 client is provided with an indication from a TN3270 server that a Systems Network Architecture (SNA) application has completely built the PS. In some cases, the indication prompts the TN3270 client to unlock a device, such as a keyboard.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for supporting intelligent call routing (ICR) systems multiple vendors, in a vendor neutral fashion using a computer is described. One embodiment has a voice program send a call routing request using an HTTP format to a call routing program. The call routing program decodes the HTTP request and identifies the appropriate vendor-specific communication format and communications method for talking to the ICR system specified in the HTTP request. The call routing program sends the request and receives the answers from the ICR system in the vendor specific formats. The call routing program provides the ICR system response back to the voice program in a vendor neutral fashion. This approach allows voice programs to easily be written that work with multiple ICR systems and allow component reuse of call routing code amongst programs that end up working with multiple systems.

Abstract: A Decision Support System (DSS) coalescer offloads and transforms data from an online statistical gathering database to a report query database adapted for report generation. The coalescer generates and populates a query database structured for query data retrieval, in contrast to realtime access transaction storage as in the online database. Configurations transform the online database into a star join schema (table structure) that centralizes database “facts” in a central table and forms associations to database “dimensions” upon which a query is likely to be based. The facts refer to items which tend to change regularly over time, such as sales volumes and unit shipped. Conversely, the dimensions include more static values such as time (e.g. days, weeks, and quarters) and geographic regions, such as states and countries. The resulting query model (schema) includes relatively small dimensions tables associated with (i.e. having a schema association to) a relatively larger fact table.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein are directed at controlling access to a data structure. A data field is included within the data structure. The data field includes information about the accessibility of the data structure. In response to an attempt to access the data structure by a first thread, the data field is configured to identify that the data structure is not accessible by another thread. The first thread can then access the data structure. In response to an attempt to access the data structure by a second thread, the second thread is configured to determine from the data field that the data structure is being accessed by the first thread.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a unit which forms N (N?2K) packets corresponding to N data blocks, an end flag and an identifier which identifies a data transfer process being attached to each of the last K (K?2) packets among the N packets, K (K?2) memory control units which control K (K?2) memories, units which are respectively provided in the memory control units and each perform a process of writing each packet into a memory and issue notification of completion relating to the data transfer process corresponding to the identifier attached to the packet having the end flag attached thereto, and a unit which notifies completion of the data transfer process to a processor when notification of completion relating to the data transfer process is issued from all of the K memory control units.

Abstract: A method for supervisor partitioning of client resources in a communications environment includes receiving, at a client node, an allocated set of resources over a communications network, and partitioning the allocated set of resources among one or more applications associated with the client node using a local authority. Following the partitioning, communication requests are issued from the one or more applications to a shared resource provider node without inspection by the local authority.

Abstract: A system allows software not equipped to work with remote location alert reporting software to obtaining alert data indicating an alert associated with a first managed resource in a storage area network. The system identifies a top-level resource in the storage area network to which the first managed resource indicated by the alert data is related and performs remote alert notification analysis to determine if the top-level resource is a managed resource in the storage area network for which remote location alert reporting software is not operational. If the top-level resource is a managed resource for which remote location alert reporting software is not operational, the system proxy engages operation of remote location alert reporting software on behalf of the top-level resource to report the alert data via the communications interface to the remote location.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the self-organization of nodes into groups in network computing environments. Embodiments may provide the ability to deploy nodes on a network, and to allow the nodes to organize into groups without human intervention. In one embodiment, a node may broadcast a query looking for a master node for the group. If the query produces no responses, the node may self-elect as the master node for the group and the node may broadcast its presence as the master node. If two or more nodes self-elect as master nodes, the nodes may negotiate to determine which node will be the master node. If the master node becomes unavailable, the remaining nodes in the group may elect a new master node. Some embodiments may be implemented on a peer-to-peer platform, such as the JXTA peer-to-peer platform, which may allow the scope of the group to span subnetworks and networks.

Abstract: A group communication mechanism for optimized reliable non-member group communication through write-only membership is disclosed. The group communication mechanism comprises two or more group member processes that receive all messages that are sent to a group. The group communication mechanism further comprises a non-group member process that has a “write-only” group membership status and does not receive any messages that are sent to the group. The non-group member process is configured to send (a) one or more messages to the group, and (b) in connection with each message that it sends to the group, a different sequence value. Each sequence value identifies an order of a message relative to other messages that the non-group member process sends to the group.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to make information necessary for judging whether control output is possible closer to the latest information than in the conventional method or made the latest, and shorten the time from control start to control execution. In a control and monitoring system for a power system which controls monitoring control objects by supplying a control instruction from a master unit 6 to a plurality of input/output terminal devices BCU1, BCU2, and so on provided for each of the plurality of monitoring control objects in a power system, the master unit 6 starts operations to acquire information necessary for judging whether control output to the input/output terminal devices BCU1, BCU2, and so on is possible at the time of control object selection notification from the master unit 6 to the input/output terminal devices BCU1, BCU2, and so on.