Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing channel access coordination in a BSS or a wireless mesh is presented. A control channel is assigned to a control radio. At least one data channel is assigned to at least one data radio. Control signals are transmitted and received on the control channel, and data is transmitted and received on the at least one data channel. Acknowledgements for the data are received on the control channel. A node having a plurality of radios can transmit and receive traffic on different data channels simultaneously.

Abstract: This is generally directed to adjusting signaling properties based on cable attributes. In some embodiments, the cable attributes can include information such as the length of a cable, the diameter of a cable, the type of plug on a cable, the type of or presence of shielding on a cable, or any combination of the above. This information can then be used to determine the appropriate signaling properties for that cable (e.g., with respect to an EMC standard). The appropriate signaling properties may, for example, optimize the signal that is used to drive the cable while still allowing the cable to generate emissions that are within acceptable EMC standards. In some embodiments, the appropriate signaling properties can include factors such as the drive strength of the signal, the slew rate of the signal, the maximum voltage of the signal, the frequency of the signal, or any combination of the above.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for monitoring the connection state of users. In the method, when a user accesses a network, the network loads a recognizable browser page on the user terminal and monitors the connection state of the user through message interaction with the browser page. With this method, it can be possible to reliably monitor the online state of the user, so that the authentication and accounting server can accurately charge the user who accesses the network and accepts the services of the network. The handshake mechanism can also be carried out with few or no limitations on the user terminal, thus guaranteeing monitoring of the connection state of users.

Abstract: A method and system for handing-off TCP states in a communication network. Specifically, the present invention allows for handing-off TCP states between nodes in an associated network that is optimized for rare handoff of TCP states. The handoff occurs between dynamically loadable modules that wrap around the TCP/IP stack located at a front-end node and a selected back-end web server. A handoff protocol implemented by the loadable modules works within the kernel level of the existing TCP/IP code. As such, no changes to the existing TCP/IP code is necessary. The loadable modules at the front-end are able to select a back-end web server depending on the content of the web request, coordinate handing off TCP states, and forward packets to the back-end web server. Loadable modules at the selected back-end modify response packets going out to reflect the proper TCP state of the front-end node.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for masking errors that may occur during a delay of a client connecting with a server on a network. A connection utility requests a connection with the server. The connection utility determines if a timeout error occurred. If the timeout error occurred, a first browser page presented by the client is displayed to indicate a connection is being made. A browser page presented by the server is displayed when the connection is made.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for managing network data packet transmission. A retry buffer is maintained that includes a single first in, first out retransmission retry buffer. A first data packet is inserted into the retry buffer in response to transmitting the first data packet to a remote node. A determination that a second data packet is not able to be transmitted to the remote node causes the second data packet to be inserted into the retry buffer. A third data packet is retrieved from the retry buffer and a determination that it is not to be transmitted to the remote node causes the third data packet to be reinserted into the retry buffer.

Abstract: Protective proxies are used to shield a destination agent from undesirable source agents or transactions. Because protective proxies are usually tied to one but sometimes more fixed destination agents, they are usually configured directly to the destination agent. As a result, many protective proxies are lightweight and allow the destination agent to manage the protocol. As a result, a catastrophic condition can occur if the protective proxy is inadvertently misconfigured so that a connectivity loop occurs. A low level loop detected can be incorporated into the protective proxy. Alternatively, a loop detector which augments the existing application layer protocol can also be employed in a protective proxy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for exposing (i.e. bridging) data and services offered by low power, low duty cycle transducers (e.g. sensors and actuators) in a standardized format over existing and established home networking technologies. A transducer access point is a functional component that serves as a proxy for health devices and sensors that are off/asleep the majority of the time to conserver power (e.g. battery life). The transducer access point may be implemented as a stand alone device or embedded within a computing device such as a home PC.

Abstract: A communication system includes a server and a client that transmits messages to the server. The messages include data and descriptive tags and may be in XML format. The server initiates a negotiation with the client relating to message format switching. If the client indicates that the client can accept message format switching, the server instructs the client to switch further messages to a simpler message format including solely data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transmitting data to a client device from a computer module in a vehicle. Data is transmitted from the computer module over an in-vehicle network to an in-vehicle communications gateway module. The data from the computer module is destined for the client device. A request for a software component is transmitted to the client device from a standard port of the in-vehicle communications gateway module. The software component comprises a non-standard transfer protocol module. The in-vehicle communications gateway module loads the non-standard transfer protocol module, and the data is exchanged between the in-vehicle communications gateway module and the client device according to the non-standard transfer protocol.

Abstract: Techniques for propagating messages in a distributed system are provided. A set of messages enqueued in a source queue are sent to one or more destination queues. An acknowledgement is received from each of the one or more destination queues, where the acknowledgement indicates which messages of the set of messages have been consumed at the particular destination queue. Based on the acknowledgements, one or more messages of the set messages are ceased to be maintained in the source queue.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transmitting data between a client device and a vehicle. A server hosted at an in-vehicle communications gateway module sends a software component comprising a non-standard transfer protocol module to a browser application hosted at the client device in response to a request from the client device. Standard ports at the in-vehicle communications gateway module and the client device are closed, and data is exchanged between the server and the browser application according to the non-standard transfer protocol. Optionally, the received data can then be transmitted from the in-vehicle communications gateway module to a computer module in the vehicle.

Abstract: An interactive visual menu system seamlessly integrates an interactive visual menu with an audio menu provided in an interactive voice response system. The system augments a voice menu by displaying the content of the voice menu to a caller. The system assumes that the caller is placing a call near an interactive device such as a computer and the user is logged onto the interactive device using, for example, instant messaging. The system “pushes” a graphical menu through the Internet onto the interactive device. Display of the graphical menu is synchronized with the audio menu. The caller selects the desired choices either by pressing the phone keypad or by clicking on graphical menus on the interactive device; both voice and visual information are updated accordingly.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a computer-implemented method for information transfer displays a graphical user interface on a display device, wherein the graphical user interface has a plurality of regions defined by boundaries on the display device, wherein each region represents output from an associated data processing system, and responsive to an object in a first region in the plurality of regions in the graphical user interface being moved to a second region in the plurality of regions in the graphical user interface, transferring information associated with the object from a first data processing system associated with the first region to a second data processing system associated with the second region.

Abstract: In distributed networks of cooperating nodes, it is useful to perform resource discovery in a manner that is efficient but that also minimizes communication complexity. A system and method in which nodes in a network efficiently are provided with information about the presence of, and other information about, other nodes in the network provides tangible benefits. In general, in one aspect, a system and method according to the invention features a distributed method for communicating information among a plurality of nodes. The method includes choosing, by a first node, one second node from information about nodes that the first node is aware of. The method further includes communicating from the first node to the second node information about the first node and nodes that the first node is aware of. The method further includes adding or merging, by the second node, the information about the first node and nodes that the first node is aware of with information about nodes that the second node is aware of.

Abstract: Methods to minimize the impact of malicious peers on the performance of a peer-to-peer system. The system computes a global trust value for a peer by calculating the left principal eigenvector of a matrix of normalized local trust values, thus taking into consideration the entire system's history with each single peer. Algorithms for performing such computations in a scalable and distributed manner are provided. Rewarding highly reputable peers with better quality of service encourages non-malicious peers to share more information and to self-police their own information.

Abstract: A method for communicating with remote devices wherein the method includes sending a request through an application programming interface (API), formatting the request and routing the request to a first connection associated with a first protocol. The method further includes mapping the request into a first command, wherein the first command conforms to the first protocol and sending the first command to a remote device.

Abstract: In view of the connection of a home network to an external network via a home router, using a mechanism that access from the same network is provided with a source MAC address whereas a source address field is rewritten to a MAC address of the router in the case of external access via the router, whether or not access is made from the home network is automatically identified by comparing a MAC address of a device on the other side of communication with a MAC address of the home router. It is capable of suitably managing so that a client terminal uses the contents legitimately acquired on a home server within the scope of private use allowed by the copyright law.

Abstract: A broadcast dedicated connection identifier is used for broadcasting certain types of Internet Protocol (IP) control messages to allow proper IP address establishment for IPv4 and IPv6.

Abstract: Systems and methods for announcing and locating services that are shared in a distributed manner within a peer-to-peer packet-based network are provided. One or more network devices maintain a copy of a particular service and the service is shared by any network device in the network that requires the service. Network devices maintain lists of what services are available on the network as well as where the services are located. When a particular service is desired, the network device consults the lists and is able to request acquisition of the service from any network device known to host the service, either locally or on a remote network device. Service location functionality is also capable of allocating resources and/or services in the network based on statistical information gathered and maintained regarding service use in the network.

Abstract: An integrated system comprising the Global Positioning System and the Internet wherein the integrated system can identify the precise geographical location of both sender and receiver communicating computer terminals.

Abstract: Providing announcements for communication sessions includes facilitating the communication sessions among endpoints comprising a half-duplex push-to-talk endpoint. It is established that a trigger event has occurred at the half-duplex push-to-talk endpoint, where the trigger event indicates an activity status of the half-duplex push-to-talk endpoint. One or more announcements associated with the trigger event are identified. The one or more announcements are provided to at least a subset of the endpoints.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved data transfers are provided. In one embodiment, a computer readable data storage device having computer executable code for a method for an accelerated file transfer protocol is provided. The method comprises: determining a number (N) of data blocks for accelerating a sending device ahead of a receiving device; transmitting an initial data block plus N additional data blocks to the receiving device without waiting for an acknowledgement (ACK) message from the receiving device; checking for receipt of an ACK message; when a correct ACK message is received, transmitting a next data block; and when a final data block is transmitted, verifying receipt of an ACK message for each of a last N transmitted data blocks.

Abstract: A system for providing communication services between geographically disbursed source and destination terminals includes at least one airborne or spaceborne wireless communication device, such as a satellite. The wireless communication device is configured to store and forward large data files of at least an aggregated 10 gigabytes. The wireless communication device includes a wireless transceiver for communicating with the source and destination terminals over at least one high bandwidth channel. A mass data storage device stores the large data files for a predetermined period of time that is greater than approximately two minutes. At least one processor is coupled among the mass data storage and wireless transceiver. The processor is configured to control receipt of a large data file from the source terminal and to transmit it to the destination terminal as the wireless communication device nears the destination terminal.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems directed to estimating response time and other performance metrics in network communications. Some embodiments of the invention allow users to monitor and estimate response time in real time. In other particular embodiments, the systems disclosed below can be used to estimate response time using server logs. In some embodiments, the present invention involves using open control blocks as a proxy to estimate the number of dropped connections.

Abstract: A scheme for replicating data items from a computer system to a mobile data communication device. In one embodiment, a method comprises one or more of the following: automatically detecting arrival of the data items at the computer system; characterizing the data items based on a characterization scheme; and redirecting the characterized data items from the computer system to the mobile data communication device, wherein the characterization scheme is adapted to correspond with a user-selectable notification scheme operable at the mobile data communication device.

Abstract: A method and system for negotiating and updating a periodicity for link status notification messages between a host and at least one client in a digital communication system. The periodicity is negotiated during an association handshake protocol. This allows the periodicity to be updated during the association to adapt to changing conditions in the data link.

Abstract: Technique for Routing digital audio and digital video signals commences by routing a digital video signal, devoid of embedded digital audio, to at least one output, typically by way of a video cross-point switch. At least one digital audio signal undergoes buffering to obtain a prescribed amount of data prior re-timing of the digital audio signal to a prescribed timing format. Following buffering and re-timing, the digital audio signal undergoes routing to at least one output, typically by way of an audio cross-point switch. When routed to outputs associated with each other, the digital audio signal undergoes embedding in the digital video.

Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that indirectly correlate event streams on multiple computers. Event details are retrieved for multiple data streams from each of the computers. The event details include a task identifier and ordering identifier for each event in the data streams on each computer. The task identifiers and ordering identifiers are unique to each computer, allowing the events to be correlated with the other events on the same computer only. A uniqueness token is retrieved that provides direct correlation information about how a particular event on the first computer is directly correlated to a particular event on the second computer. An indirect event stream correlation process uses the directly correlated information in combination with the respective task identifiers and respective ordering identifiers from the first and second computers to establish an ordering between the events on the first computer and the events on the second computer.

Abstract: A system and method for managing subscriber usage of a packet network. The system may include at least one database configured to store network performance information of data packets including real-time content and non-real-time content communicated over a packet network. The database may further be configured to store the network performance information as related to respective subscribers of a communications carrier managing the communications network. In one embodiment, the database may include an indicia associated with each subscriber and the network performance information may be collected during communications by respective subscribers over the packet network.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods related to multiple-party communications conducted between client computers in a computer network. For example, a method and apparatus for supporting multiple-party communications in a computer network including a first server, at least a first client computer in communication with the first server, and a second server are disclosed. The method involves receiving a first input message at the first server, the first input message representing user input received at the first client computer. The method further involves producing a first output message representing the user input provided by the first input message, and transmitting the first output message to the first client computer and to the second server.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods related to multiple-party communications conducted between client computers in a computer network. For example, a method and apparatus for publishing content created during a previous communication hosted by a server are disclosed. The content is represented by a first plurality of saved messages saved in a persistent memory on the server, the server being in communication with a computer network. The method involves receiving a request from a first computer in the computer network to view the content, the request including an identifier identifying the first plurality of saved messages. The method further involves reading the first plurality of saved messages associated with the identifier from the persistent memory, producing first output messages representing the content in respective saved messages in the first plurality of saved messages, and transmitting the first output messages to the first computer.

Abstract: A data-packet processing method is used in a network system. The network system includes a buffer for optionally storing a data packet to be transferred, and the method includes steps of: determining a type of the data packet to be transferred; determining a storage state of a buffer where the data packet is to be temporarily stored before transferring; and storing the data packet into the buffer if the storage state of the buffer is a packet-accepting storage state; wherein the packet-accepting storage state of the buffer varies with the type of the data packet.

Abstract: A system for handling a web service call by clients in a communication network is disclosed. The system comprises a client requester for issuing client requests. The client requests may comprise at least one client request to call a web service. The system also comprises a callback web Service that is coupled to the client requester for registering the at least one client request to call a web service and for invoking the called web service. A response web service is coupled to the callback web service for receiving a response to the at least one client request to call a web service and is also coupled to the client requester for delivering the response when a client request to obtain the response is issued from the client requester.

Abstract: An administrator 4 (2) registers configuration files of compliant equipment 31 and noncompliant equipment 32 and a configuration script into a management server, and (3) sends the network equipment to a user 33. When the user 33 constructs the local network 3 by connecting the network equipment and turns it on, (4) a configuration request message is transmitted from the compliant equipment 31 to the management server 2. (5) The management server 2 replies with the configuration file of the compliant equipment 31, the configuration file of the noncompliant equipment 32, and the compliant script to the compliant equipment 31 in response to the configuration request. The compliant equipment 31 (6) registers its own configuration file received from the management server 2 into itself, and then (7) configures the configuration file of the noncompliant equipment 32 into the noncompliant equipment by executing the received configuration script.

Abstract: A device-to-server registration system and method of registering a wireless device with a mediator service responsible for allowing the wireless device to communicate with a back-end service are provided. The device-to-server registration system comprises a device-to-server registration module for communicating with a device administration service of the wireless device and a device registration module of a mediator service for registering a wireless device with the mediator service. The device registration module communicates with the device-to-server registration module. The method comprises the steps of communicating with a device administration service of a wireless device to obtain information pertaining to the mediator service and communicating with a device registration module of the mediator service to register with the mediator service.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing user access to a storage system storage controller are provided. In particular, user login requirements and permissions are administered, and individual user and external user interface pairs are tracked, through a user table and a session table established as part of the storage system controller. The external user interfaces may be interconnected to the storage system controller through different networks and/or protocols. Notification of events to external interfaces is performed as part of a task running on the storage system controller. In particular, an event notification manager determines whether notification of an event should be provided in connection with active sessions, with the result that the storage system controller only sends notification of events that have not previously been reported to a user and external interface pair.

Abstract: To detect the presence of at least one other terminal in a data session (e.g., an RTP session), terminal a generates a request to solicit a response from each terminal, forms an APP packet in RTCP for the request, encapsulates the APP packet in at least one IP packet, and sends the IP packet(s) to the other terminal(s). Terminal a then monitors for a response from each terminal to which the request is sent. Terminal a declares a terminal to be present in the data session if a response is received from that terminal. Terminal a may send one or more additional requests to each terminal from which a response is not received. Terminal a declares a terminal to be absent from the data session if a predetermined number of (e.g., two) requests have been sent to that terminal and a response is not received from the terminal.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention provides a system and a protocol to enable two transmission control protocol TCP peers that exist behind one or more firewalls and network address translators NATs to automatically setup a true peer-to-peer TCP connection and exchange data without making changes to the firewall or NAT devices or existing TCP-based applications. In embodiments of this invention, the synchronization between the blind TCP peers is achieved using a system that consists of a registration server, an agent application, and a virtual network interface that together relay and replicate the control signals between the two TCP peers. In addition, embodiments of this invention are also used to traverse the NAT and establish a bi-directional peer-to-peer TCP connection in the firewall.

Abstract: A data transceiving apparatus includes a data communicator to set up a communication connection with a counterpart apparatus using a setup message containing encryption information, and a data processor to encrypt data transmitted to the counterpart apparatus or decrypt encrypted data received from the counterpart apparatus using the encryption information.

Abstract: System, computer implemented process and computer program product for managing media content among a plurality of devices which includes the exchange of device status data among two or more devices. The exchanged device status data includes individual device capabilities and indicia of available media content stored within each of the devices. Each device determines from the exchanged device status data whether any differences exist in available media content stored among the plurality of devices and also whether any of the determined differences in media content will require transcoding to compatible data formats. Once the determinations have been completed, synchronizing and optionally transcoding of the available media content is performed based on the determinations made from the exchanged device status data. Any required transcoding may be performed either before or after media content synchronizing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first network device receives a control message in a first protocol from a client, the control message in the first protocol being addressed to a second network device. The first network device identifies an existing connection in a second protocol that is associated with the second network device. The first network device establishes a connection in the first protocol with the client according to a status of the existing connection in the second protocol that is associated with the second network device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing alerts on a browser running on a portable handheld device is disclosed. The method generates an asynchronous notification action from the server and in response transmits an alert containing a message indicating availability of HTML pages that describe the nature of the alert. The alert is received at a node on a network and translated into the original message. An alert receipt acknowledgment is transmitted to the server. Access to the alert HTML page is provided through a URL containing the appropriate query strings necessary to present the appropriate HTML page. The invention also discloses a wireless local area network (WLAN) adapter associated with a wireless network that receives paging signals from a server on the network and returns an acknowledgment signal back to the server. The invention also discloses a client/server based method of delivering messages initiated by a client.

Abstract: Time zone data is obtained from clients, such as web browsers, which interact with a server, and used to classify metrics of the clients such as response times. This classification technique does not require that a mapping of IP addresses to geographic location is available. Metrics from the clients are communicated from the server to a manager, which aggregates the metrics for each time zone. The manager can automatically associate geographic descriptors, such as names of cities, with the metrics in a report such as in a user interface display. If a partial mapping of IP address to location is available, the report can aggregate metrics which are grouped by IP address separately from metrics which are not grouped by IP address. The user interface display can be automatically populated with selectable nodes which allow a user to selectively view the metrics.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for determining version information, including: sending a first session request to a device, and receiving error code information returned by the device in response to the first session request; sending one or more session requests to the device in response to the error code information, and determining the version information of the device according to one or more pieces of information returned by the device in response to the one or more session requests. The present disclosure further discloses a system and an apparatus for determining version information. The version information of a device which does not support the version negotiation is determined, thereby solving problems of interaction and compatibility between devices which do not support the version negotiation.

Abstract: A physical layer device comprises a transmitter of a first network device that transmits an autonegotiation signal to a second network device. A receiver of the first network device receives a received signal from the second network device. An autonegotiation controller autonegotiates link parameters for a link between the first network device and the second network device, monitors autonegotiation pulses in the autonegotiation signal relative to autonegotiation pulses in the received signal received during a window, and selectively blinds autonegotiation based on the monitoring.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a UPnP device to provide services on behalf of another UPnP device. According to the present invention, all services requested from the original serving devices are redirected to the shadow device, while the original device has no knowledge of this redirection. With the present invention, a remote UPnP device requesting a service has no knowledge that the service is being provided by a shadow device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stream processing message data relating to a web service application are described. One system has an input pipe for receiving multiple interrelated session based messages according to an order with which they originate. A processor processes an accumulation of the messages upon reaching a trigger point related to grammar characterizing the messages.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for arbitrating an appropriate back-end server to receive channels of a client connection. Each front-end server in a server farm specifies a back-end server in the server farm that it deems appropriate for receiving channels of a client connection. Each specified back-end server is represented by an arbitration order, for example, a universally unique identifier. A relevant set of potential back-end servers that can receive channels of a client connection is selected according to function configured to minimize performance impact. A load balancing service compares arbitration orders for different back-end servers in the set of potential back-end servers to determine an appropriate back-end server for receiving channels of the client connection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for communications in a distributed software system. An operation request from a remote computer is received, and provisionally executes an operation identified by the operation request. A first message is generated. The first message contains a transaction identifier identifying the operation request, an unsuccessful indicator flag, and a temporary data store. The temporary data store identifies tentatively written data generated by the operation. The first message is stored in a message store. If the successful completion of the operation is detected, a second message is generated. The second message contains the transaction identifier as well as a successful indicator flag. The second message is stored in the message store, and the message is transmitted to the remote computer. If the failure of the operation is detected, the message stored in the message store is transmitted to the remote computer.