A system and method are provided for transmitting data from a server to a client via blocks. A user query for a solution set is transmitted to a server, which is then used to query a database for a first subset of the solution set. A first block of data is built from data in the database of the server, containing a subset of the solution set, and is then sent to the client over a network. When a second request from the client for the data in the database of the server is received, a second block of the data sets is queried from the database, built, and then transmitted to the client over the network.

Block-based communication in a communication services patterns environment

This invention relates to methods for controlling and monitoring access to network servers. In particular, the process described in the invention includes client-server sessions over the Internet. In this environment, when the user attempts to access an access-controlled file, the server subjects the request to a secondary server which determines whether the client has an authorization or valid account. Upon such verification, the user is provided with a session identification which allows the user to access to the requested file as well as any other files within the present protection domain.

Internet server access control and monitoring systems

Systeme unifie de communication a programmation regroupant les communications de l'art anterieur (telles que par exemple la television, la radio, l'impression transmise electroniquement, et les communications par ordinateur) ainsi que les nouveaux mass medias specifiques aux utilisateurs. Unified programming communication system involving communications of the prior art (such as eg television, radio, print transmitted electronically, and computer communications) and new mass media specific users. Dans le systeme unifie, des moyens (205) et procedes mettant en oeuvre des systemes d'ordinateurs ont la capacite de produire des informations specifiques a un utilisateur particulier, simultanement a chaque poste (26) d'une pluralite de postes d'abonnes (26). In the unified system, means (205) and methods employing computer systems have the ability to generate specific information to a particular user, simultaneously with each station (26) a plurality of subscriber stations ( 26).

Signal processing apparatus and methods.

A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for assigning a view to an activity. Notification is received that a startup event of an activity has occurred. A reference to a first instance of an object created by the startup event of the activity is also received. A view to launch is determined in response to the receipt of the notification and the reference. The view is based on predetermined criteria. The view is associated with the activity and displayed.

A view configurer in a presentation services patterns enviroment

A method and apparatus for dynamically customizing electronic information to individual end users includes a client system containing a personal profile database which stores consumer information corresponding to individual end user(s) of the client system. The client system also includes a content adapter which compares electronic information received by the client system to the consumer information in the personal profile database and customizes the electronic information to an individual end user based on this comparison. The client system also includes a client activity monitor which monitors actions taken by an individual end user when consuming electronic information and updates the personal profile database based on these actions. In one embodiment, the client activity monitor also monitors which actions are ignored by the individual end user and updates the personal profile database based on the consumer's interaction with the electronic information (that is, both the consumer's action and inaction). In one embodiment, an electronic information server containing a plurality of electronic information units is coupled to the client system via an electronic information distribution network and serves as the source of the electronic information.

Method and apparatus for dynamically customizing electronic information to individual end users

An architecture for the implementation of an information utility for accessing information and executing transactions on an interactive basis between Videotex databases and individual end user terminals, some or all of which may be remotely located with respect to each other. The utility may be associated with a Videotex Application Network (VAN) and includes a combination of distributed, semiautonomous Operations Nodes (ONs), each characterized by (1) one or more affiliated users, (2) the inclusion of some form of database, and (3) one or more customized application programs, and each is also capable of "standalone" operation. Each database comprises pages of control information and displayable data. Each node comprises a directory of databases at other nodes.

Electronic system for accessing graphical and textual information

The present invention is directed to a method and system for storing and managing objects, such as binary large objects (blobs) in a digital library system which includes a plurality of clients, an object server for storing an object, a cache server for storing an copy of the object, and a centralized server for storing information identifying the object as being stored in the object server and associating one or more of the clients with the cache server, in which one of the clients, as a requesting client, requests retrieval of an object, a copy of the requested object is sent from the cache server to the requesting client if the object is stored in said cache server, and a copy of said object is sent from the object server to said requesting client if the object is not stored in the cache server; and a copy of the requested object is sent from the object server to the cache server after the object server sends the object to the client, in which the object sent to the client is made available to the client regardless of whether sending of the copy of the object to the cache server is completed.

Distributed storage management system having a cache server and method therefor

A system or scheme for automatic detection of and recovery from transmission errors in the asynchronous communication mode at the data link level with complete transparency at the higher levels is disclosed wherein the transmissions are in the form of a sequence of data packets, and an improved combination of end-of-text (ETX) bytes along with checksums is used in each data packet to detect errors The ETX character is dynamically selected for each packet after the data comprising the packet has been assembled This character is coded differently from the remaining character codes in its respective packet and is made the second byte thereof following the start-of-text byte (STX) The third byte in each packet is made the complement of the preceding ETX byte, the latter of which is also made the last byte in the packet Thus, the second and last bytes in each packet are identical, and different from all the other bytes, and the third byte is their complement Other bytes in each packet include: one byte indicating the location of the packet in a set in a given transmission sequence; a byte distinguishing the packet's set from other transmission sequences; two bytes indicative of the number of data bytes in the packet; one byte operating as a control character indicating the functional nature of the packet; data bytes; and, two checksum bytes which precede the last ETX byte Among the advantages of transmissions using packets containing the foregoing improved combination of bytes, is the fact that all transmission errors will be detected and upon detection of an error in a packet, the transmitter is immediately notified and retransmission is carried out only from the erroneous packet rather than from the beginning of the entire sequence as in the prior art

Protocol for handling transmission errors over asynchronous communication lines

A distributed storage system is disclosed in which an originating storage location establishes the criteria for storage management for a file. When the file is transmitted to other, subsidiary storage locations, it is accompanied by information controlling the storage of the file. For example, the duration of storage will be controlled by the control information. When a master file is deleted from an archive, in accordance with the criteria established at the time of storage, copies of the file at subsidiary locations can either be rendered inaccessible or alternately the storage management for that file can be changed. A feature is the distribution of storage management control information along with the file to diverse storage locations in a complex data processing system.

A method and system for parallel, system managed storage for objects on multiple servers.

An architecture is disclosed for the implementation of an information utility for accessing information and executing transactions on an interactive basis between Videotex databases and individual end user terminals, some or all of which may be remotely located with respect to each other. The utility may be associated with a Videotex Application Network (VAN) and includes a combination of distributed, semiautonomous Operations Nodes (ONs), each characterized by 1) one or more affiliated users, 2) the inclusion of some form of database, and 3) one or more customized application programs, and each is also capable of "standalone" operation. A typical ON with end-user terminals, which may be referred to as an Establishment Operations Node (EON), supports a unique user interface through which users get controlled and secure access to a wide variety of databases stored locally and/or remotely. Through this node, users may also interact with a large number of application programs distributed over the entire VAN which provide additional and specialized services. The user interface, the mechanisms for secure access to information, and the application environment supported by the ON are important features of the invention and ONs may be adapted to special functions within the network. For example, while a typical node may consist of a system with one or more databases and end user terminals (EON), another node may consist only of specialized databases (DON) maintained by information pro­viders (IPs) without end users or application programs. Similarly, a third node may merely consist of a directory database with a number of unrelated end user terminals (TON). Another node may be configured with a directory database and just a set of application programs providing services to users on the network (PON). A number of small in-house users may cooperate to form a multiorganization node (MOON) and special nodes may be formed to handle access to other networks (NON) or to interface with third party databases (ION). Finally, a node may assume the role of a Systems Operations Node (SON) which maintains a global directory of databases and application programs available at various nodes and may act to supervise and coordinate the interactions and operations of all the nodes in the system. In all, the application architecture and specific implementation disclosed offer valuable capabilities and services to end users.

Thomas Gerard Burket

Papers

Electronic system for accessing graphical and textual information

Distributed storage management system having a cache server and method therefor

Protocol for handling transmission errors over asynchronous communication lines

A method and system for parallel, system managed storage for objects on multiple servers.

Videotex information utility