A descriptive data structure provides an abstract representation of a rights management data structure such as a secure container. The abstract representation may describe, for example, the layout of the rights management data structure. It can also provide metadata describing or defining other characteristics of rights management data structure use and/or processing. For example, the descriptive data structure can provide integrity constraints that provide a way to state rules about associated information. The abstract representation can be used to create rights management data structures that are interoperable and compatible with one another. This arrangement preserves flexibility and ease of use without compromising security.

Techniques for defining, using and manipulating rights management data structures

Many users of handheld computer systems maintain databases on the handheld computer systems. To share the information, it is desirable to have a simple method of sharing the information with personal computer systems. An easy to use extendible file synchronization system is introduced for sharing information between a handheld computer system and a personal computer system. The synchronization system is activated by a single button press. The synchronization system proceeds to synchronize data for several different applications that run on the handheld computer system and the personal computer system. If the user gets a new application for the handheld computer system and the personal computer system, then a new library of code is added for synchronizing the databases associate with the new application. The synchronization system automatically recognizes the new library of code and uses it during the next synchronization.

Extendible method and apparatus for synchronizing multiple files on two different computer systems

Many users of handheld computing devices or “palmtops” also own personal computers (PCs) running applications that manage data similar to the data carried in the palmtops. In such cases, users are likely to want the data on the palmtop to be synchronized with the data on the PC. The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for reconciling database files on a palmtop with corresponding database files on a PC.

Method and apparatus for synchronizing information on two different computer systems

A device for providing wireless Internet access has been described. The device includes an antenna. The antenna is for receiving wireless queries and transmitting wireless responses. The device includes a program. The program is for converting the wireless queries into Internet compatible protocols. The program is for receiving the Internet protocol formatted responses. These responses are then converted in to the wireless responses.

Method and apparatus for wireless internet access

A wireless communications system, apparatus and methods provide packet minimized communications between a wireless client and a proxy server. The methods use novel data compression techniques to enable wireless communications devices to complete transactions by exchanging a minimum number of data packets. In many circumstances a transaction comprises a single request packet from the wireless client to the proxy server and a single response packet from the proxy server to the wireless client. The methods use a compact markup language, a compact transport protocol, a reliable message layer, hyperlink indices, server dependent forms, and a compressed user datagram protocol header. A compressed request message comprises a base document uniform resource locator followed by compressed data. The compressed data comprises field values and field indices corresponding to fields in a hyperlink document, and an indication of use of a hyperlink document. A packet of data is formatted so that a compressed user datagram protocol header comprises a first bit set to indicate that the packet destination is a proxy server, bit flags indicating inclusion of optional delivery and internet protocol fields, and a source port number identifying the requesting wireless client.

Method, system and apparatus for packet minimized communications

A Transparent Peripheral File System (TPFS) includes a Peripheral File System Adapter (PFSA) which communicates with a host operating system at the vnode level of file operation by packaging such communications for transmission over an I/O system interface, such as SCSI. A file peripheral system remote from the host and in a peripheral relation thereto is responsive to the PFSA, without an intervening file server. The peripheral file system produces hardware commands for the mass storage device whose space it manages. The peripheral file system may be embedded in a mass storage device, a lump in the interconnecting interface cable, or a smart interface card in the backplane of the host. The peripheral file system may include a daisy chain connection to allow the propagation of vnode communication to other peripheral file systems. In this way a hierarchy of peripheral file systems may be physically mounted to one another in a way that corresponds to how they are logically mounted. A Character To File Translator (CFX) allows a TPFS to emulate raw mode access, even if the host system is not equipped with a vnode file operation interface. CFX does this by converting to and from streams of characters communicated with an application using this ersatz raw mode, while instead of storing the data on the storage medium itself, actually relying upon the remote peripheral file system for storing, or having stored, the streams of characters as a file.

Transparent peripheral file systems with on-board compression, decompression, and space management

In one embodiment, a method of diagnosing an error in a cartridge drive, comprises detecting an occurrence of a defined event in a cartridge drive, in response to the defined event, initiating an analysis routine of at least one event log from the cartridge drive, and invoking an intervention routine when the analysis indicates that the defined event represents a failure threat.

Cartridge drive diagnostic tools

Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for switching firmware images in storage systems. One method of software execution includes transferring a new firmware image to a secondary storage location in an automated storage system while the automated storage system is online to execute a data backup application; and rebooting a drive in the automated storage system to switch to the new firmware image

Switching firmware images in storage systems

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for managing device reservation. In one embodiment, upon receiving a device command from a first host, a device targeted by the device command is reserved for the first host and a reservation time period for expiration of the reservation status is set.

Method and apparatus for managing device reservation

Embodiments include methods, apparatus, and systems for managing a storage library with removable media. One method includes providing to an administrative console identification of host computers attempting to access a tape drive in a tape library; determining, from input at the administrative console, access rights for each of the host computers attempting to access the tape drive; and transmitting the access rights to the tape drive in order to configure the tape drive to determine which of the host computers are authorized to access the tape drive.

John G. McCarthy

Papers

Transparent peripheral file systems with on-board compression, decompression, and space management

Cartridge drive diagnostic tools

Switching firmware images in storage systems

Method and apparatus for managing device reservation

Storage library with removable media