Showing papers on "Upload published in 1996"

Client-server-based remote locator device

Abstract: A user accesses a server using a client. The client provides an identification code which serves to uniquely identify a remote sensor. The remote sensor is capable of providing information related to its position. The server interrogates the remote sensor and, in response, the remote sensor transmits positioning data to the server where it is analyzed to derive the location of the remote sensor. The location so determined is transmitted from the server to the client and is displayed at the client so that the user can identify the location of the remote sensor. The client and the server may be connected to a computer network and the client may use a web browser to interrogate the server. The remote sensor may be a SNAPSHOT GPS receiver or other GPS receiver or positioning device. The user display may be a simple position report, e.g., latitude and longitude, or a graphical report which provides an indication of the remote sensor's location superimposed on a map or other reference.

Client-server system for delivery of online information

Abstract: A method for operating a server system adapted to provide information files to a plurality of subscribers over communications network, such as Internet. A plurality of publishers store their publishing material such as newspapers, magazines or software files in a database server. The database server maintains a schedule of events file adapted to contain information relating to predetermined downloading schedules to the subscribers of the database server. The schedule of events file or the relevant portions of it are then transmitted to individual subscribers so that requests for information can be launched from the subscribers terminals at a predetermined time in accordance with the schedule of event file. The server then transmits to each requesting subscriber a set of predetermined data files as authorized by a corresponding one of the publishers, including each file's name, size and identification code in response to said information request from each one of the subscribers. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the database server keeps a track of information file transmittals and makes sure that a file has been successfully downloaded. If not, the database server keeps a track of the portion of the files that have been successfully transmitted and attempts to retransmit the portion that has not been received successfully, several times until the entire file is successfully received.

Method for the distribution of code and data updates

Abstract: A system and method for distributing software applications and data to many thousands of clients over a network. The applications are called "channels", the server is called the "transmitter", and the client is called the "tuner". The use of channels is based on subscription. The end-user needs to subscribe to channel before it can be executed. When the end-user subscribes to a channel the associated code and data is downloaded to the local hard-disk, and once downloaded the channel can be executed many times without requiring further network access. Channels can be updated automatically at regular intervals by the tuner, and as a result the end-user is no longer required to manually install software updates, instead these software and data updates are automatically downloaded and installed in the background. This method of automatic downloading of updates achieves for the client the same result as the broadcast distribution of software over a connection based network, but wherein the client initiates each update request without requiring any special broadcast networking infra structure.

Secure system for electronic selling

Abstract: A remote communication system for facilitating secure electronic sales of products, wherein a suitable seller input device in association with a local seller data transmission system couples the seller to a packet network system for communicating to a remote receiver/decoder apparatus to download registration data to the seller system. Upon retrieving a telephone toll number from the remote apparatus, a telcom network communication link for communicating the telephone number from the seller to the remote receiver allows the seller to upload the product that is to be offered for sale to the remote apparatus. The telcom connection, linking the seller system to the remote apparatus may also include a 900 number billing system whereby a fee is assessed and charged at a rate determined by the toll connection provider after uploading the product.

Multi server, interactive, video-on-demand television system utilizing a direct-access-on-demand workgroup

Abstract: An interactive television system that renders on-demand interactive multimedia services for a community of users. The interactive multimedia is delivered to each user on a TV or on a LAN-node (Local-Area-Network) computer through an "interactive TV channel" created and controlled by a Channel-processor, which can be implemented as either a PC or a high-end workstation. The system employs a direct-access on-demand workgroup server. It is equipped with the primary on-demand multimedia data base stored on a hard disk subsystem that is connected directly to the Channel-processors through an internal workgroup link. Using a no-overhead server technology, the connected workgrouped Channel-processors can all concurrently retrieve and process the data directly from the hard disk subsystem without resorting to a stand-alone server system for data retrieving and downloading. The system also employs peer-to-peer workgroup connectivity, so that all of the workgrouped Channel-processors that are connected to the workgroup server through the internal workgroup link, can communicate with one another.

Remote retrieval and display management of electronic document with incorporated images

Abstract: A browser remotely retrieves electronic documents from a remote computer network for viewing by a user. For enhancing responsiveness, the browser initially displays an electronic document without a background image so that the electronic document is initially displayed more quickly. The browser also prioritizes downloading of embedded images of the document by their incorporation in the currently visible portion of the electronic document. Further, the browser dynamically creates additional connections for retrieving resources incorporated into the electronic document from the remote computer network.

Configuration manager for network devices and an associated method for providing configuration information thereto

Abstract: A configuration manager for configuring a network device remotely coupled thereto and an associated computer-implemented method for configuring the network device. The configuration manager includes a configuration script stored in a memory subsystem of a computer system and first and second software modules respectively executable by a processor subsystem of the computer system. The configuration script contains a series of executable instructions for constructing a configuration file and a bootptab file for a first specified type of network device. By executing the instructions contained in the configuration script, the first software module may construct a configuration file suitable for upload to a network device and a bootptab file suitable for identifying the network device. Configuration requests issued by the network device are processed by the second software module by identifying the requesting network device using the constructed bootptab file and configuring the requesting network device by uploading the constructed configuration file thereto.

Method for streaming transmission of compressed music

Abstract: An Internet high fidelity audio transmission and compression protocol including a system for representing synthesized music in a relatively small file as compared to digital recording. The protocol includes a method for streaming the transmission of a music data file from a Server-Composer computer such that the music can begin being played back as soon as the file begins to arrive at a Client-Player computer. The system includes a graduated resolution improvement feature which allows the music to be recreated exactly as originally composed as the necessary wavetable data is downloading in the background and the music continues to play in the foreground.

System and method for remotely accessing user data records

Abstract: User data records, such as health or financial data, are stored in a data base at one or more remote facilities, for example, at one or more hospitals or one or more central processing facilities. For each of a card-holding group of users a card is provided. The card is preferably a "smart card," which has a memory and, preferably, an onboard processor. The card is encoded with the respective user's identifying information, as well as with information that identifies at least one remote network address of at least one remote facility where the user's records are stored. The user uses the card to activate a local processor, which then automatically accesses a network, generates and applies to the network a remote record request corresponding to the activating user's identification code, along with the appropriate remote network address(es). The remote processor, which is also connected to the network, verifies the record request and downloads all or a requested or predetermined part of the corresponding user data records to the local processor. This data may then also be downloaded at least in part to the memory of the user's card. Updates to the user's data records may also be uploaded from the local processor to the remote processing facility, or downloaded to the card, or both. The network is preferably a publicly accessible network such as the Internet, whereby the remote network address can be an Internet address in any conventional format.

Method and system for remote user controlled manufacturing

Abstract: The invention enables persons with Internet (or other similar computer network) connectivity to remotely customize a product to be manufactured. In a preferred embodiment, a customer specifies a variety songs from a stated inventory of electronic audio media stored in a variety of remote databases and a desired playing order. After verification, the customer submits the order to a server. A series of programs located on the server (either physically or virtually) processes the order and sends the order to a production mechanism for the manufacture of the final product by downloading selected songs, writing the downloaded songs to a recording media and shipping the recorded media to the customer.

Method and system for on demand downloading of module to enable remote control of an application program over a network

Abstract: The system and method is disclosed for remotely controlling an application program over a network. The system includes an application interception module and remote display module. The remote display module is transported across the network and executed on the user system in response to a user's request to provide on-demand remote control of an application program. The application interception module captures an I/O stream generated by an application program, converts it to remote control protocol messages and transports them across a network to the remote display module executing in the user system. The remote display module converts the remote control protocol messages to system calls compatible with the operating system environment for the users computer. Likewise, the remote display module converts system calls to the local resource interface in the user's computer to remote control protocol messages which are transported across the network to the application interception module. The application interception module interface converts the remote control protocol messages to system calls for the application program. In this manner, output from the application program is provided to the user's computer and input actions at the user's computer are provided to the application program. Preferably, the remote display modules and application programs are presented through HTTP servers over a network to a user's system which uses a browser having a JAVA interpreter to execute the remote display module and convert the remote control protocol messages.

Remote procedure interface with support for multiple versions

Abstract: A distributed computer system incorporating multiple computer processes enables a client computer process to request execution of a remote procedure on a server computer process even when the server computer process does not support a current version of the client computer process. A version map is utilized by the client computer process while requesting a remote procedure to format the request to a version supported by the server computer process, thus permitting client and server computer processes coresident in a distributed computer system to be upgraded independently while ensuring backward-compatibility with earlier versions.

Method and apparatus for accessing and downloading information from the internet

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing and downloading information from the internet to a hand held computer system. The computer system includes a bus to which a processor, a display screen, input keys, and a flash memory are coupled. The flash memory stores an operating system for the computer system, search criteria, information corresponding to the search criteria downloaded from the internet, and display application software for displaying the information on the display screen.

Field configurable embedded computer system

Abstract: An apparatus and method for downloading firmware upgrades to a targeted remote field configurable embedded computer system over a computer network. The targeted device need not be disconnected from the network and requires no human intervention at the remote site. The entire firmware, including the downloading mechanism, can be updated in an efficient manner.

System for downloading computer software programs

Abstract: In a video-on-demand system, a disk-less set-top box is configured to download software programs from a video server via a network. The set-top box includes a read-only memory storing a boot program, a control protocol stack, and a video protocol stack. The control protocol stack is connected to a bidirectional control channel of a circuit of the network, and the video protocol stack is connected to a unidirectional video channel of the circuit. Using a handheld remote controller, a consumer makes a request for a software program from the video server. The request is made via the control protocol stack and the control channel. The video server transmits the software program as an encoded video transport stream, which is received via the video channel and the video protocol stack. The transport stream is decoded to reconstruct the requested program in a dynamic random access memory of the set-up box from where the program can be executed in a processor of the set-top box.

Remote installation of software by a management information system into a remote computer

Abstract: Remote installation of an update of software is forwarded by a management information system into a remote computer. When a primary communication path between the management information system and the remote computer is unavailable and an alternate communication path is available, a connection is established between the management information system and the remote computer using the alternate communication path. The management information system requests from the remote computer the current version information about the software within the remote computer. When the management information system determines the current version of the software within the remote computer needs to be updated, the management information system determines whether the alternate communication path is adequate for downloading the update of the software. When the management information system determines that the alternate communication path is adequate for downloading the update of the software, the update of the software is downloaded from the management information system to the remote computer.

Video-on-demand system

Abstract: A video-on-demand system is described, which comprises a server and a user station. The video server is adapted to reproduce a selected television signal in various playback modi (normal, fast display, slow display, winding, rewinding, pause, etc.) in response to operating signals from the user station. Operating data which define the available operating signals (the user interface) are fixed in the server and are transmitted by the server to the station. The invention provides the possibility of downloading different versions of the user interface at different prices. For example, a television program with commercials may be offered with and without the facility of fast display.

Remote editor system

Abstract: A remote editor system (26) is provided for remotely editing files stored on a remote Internet server (15) The remote editor system (26) includes a client (12), using a web browser (32), and the remote Internet server (15) having a mass storage device (44), for storing computer files, and a processor (42) The processor (42) is responsive to one or more of the computer files of the mass storage device (44) The processor (42) is responsive to communicate an editor input form to the client (12) and to receive an input text string from the client (12) that includes a server path input that identifies a path of the remote Internet server (15) The processor (42) is further responsive to store the server path input as a variable and to communicate a file selection form to the client (12) so that a user may a select a file to edit The processor (42) receives a file selection input identifying the user's selection and provides the text of the selected file to the web browser (32) of the client (12) for editing Once edited, the remote Internet server (15) receives the edited text and saves the file

Multi-user publishing in the Web: DReSS, a Document Repository Service Station

Abstract: Many WWW servers contain information written by several authors. These authors either need an account on the server machine, and special permissions to create information in the server space, or else the Webmaster needs to put the information in that space or allow the server to point to the author’s own space. We present DReSS, a system to enable authors to deposit (and update) documents on a WWW server, using standard WWW features only. Authors do not need login permission on the server machine, ftp upload access, or even electronic mail. As the documents live in the WWW server space there is no need for the server to be able to access documents outside its space. Thus, our system will work on even the most securely shielded servers (running in a chroot environment). DReSS consists of a set of CGI−scripts and two small auxiliary programs running on the client machine. It can be used with any (HTML−2.0−capable) WWW browser, and with any WWW server. DReSS does not use special features of a specific browser or server, and does not require any modification to the browser or server. For example, it does not use the HTTP PUT method, mostly because not every browser and server supports it. It does not use multi−part mime documents, file inclusion in forms, or server push features. It also does not use protocols (like ftp or smtp) other than HTTP. We indicate where the current WWW architecture makes managing WWW servers with multiple authors difficult. This leads to suggestions for new browser and server features that could improve the authoring process significantly.

Method and apparatus for automating a software delivery system by locating, downloading, installing, and upgrading of viewer software

Abstract: A method for setting up viewing of a file on a computer system is disclosed. According to the method, a file type of the file is determined. It is determined whether a viewer that supports the file type is installed on the computer system. The computer system interfaces with a server. If the viewer is not installed on the computer system, the computer system obtains a location of the viewer and downloads the viewer from the location. If the viewer is installed on the computer system, a version identifier of the viewer on the computer system is determined and compared with a version identifier of a current version of the viewer on the server. The current version of the viewer is downloaded to the computer system if the version identifier of the current version of the viewer is more recent than the version identifier of the viewer on the computer system.

Method and system for delayed registration of protocols

Abstract: A method and system for delayed registration of a remote protocol for communicating between a client computer system and a server computer system. The server computer system has a communications process that registers a plurality of protocols. When the client process needs to communicate with the server process, it sends a request to the communications process along with an indication of the protocols that it supports. The communications process selects a protocol that is supported by both the client computer system and the server computer system and directs the server process to register that protocol. The communication process provides the server endpoint for that protocol to the client process which can then communicate directly with the server process.

Building systems that flexibly control downloaded executable context

Abstract: Downloading executable content, which enables principals to run programs from remote sites, is a key technology in a number of emerging applications, including collaborative systems, electronic commerce, and web information services. However, the use of downloaded executable content also presents serious security problems because it enables remote principals to execute programs on behalf of the downloading principal. Unless downloaded executable content is properly controlled, a malicious remote principal may obtain unauthorized access to the downloading principal's resources. Current solutions either attempt to strictly limit the capabilities of downloaded content or require complete trust in the remote principal, so applications which require intermediate amounts of sharing, such as collaborative applications, cannot be constructed over insecure networks. In this paper, we describe an architecture that flexibly controls the access rights of downloaded content by: (1) authenticating content sources; (2) determining content access rights based on its source and the application that it is implementing; and (3) enforcing these access rights over a wide variety of objects and for the entire computation, even if external software is used. We describe the architecture in the context of an infrastructure for supporting collaborative applications.

The BSCW system: a WWW-based application to support cooperation of distributed groups

Abstract: The World-Wide Web (WWW) has gained broad acceptance in academic and commercial circles. Although originally conceived as a means for information dissemination, it can also be used for the development of collaborative applications to support dispersed working groups and organisations because of its platform, network and operating system transparency, its easy to use user interface, and its simple integration into existing organisational technical infrastructures. The authors describe the BSCW system developed at GMD which uses the WWW as the communication infrastructure and provides some basic functionality for group cooperation. The BSCW systems supports cooperation by means of 'shared workspaces' into which users can upload and download various types of objects. To increase the efficiency of cooperation, the system provides additional features such as information about activities of other members of the workspace. They report on user experiences with the system, problems, and extensions that are planned in the near future.

Video-on-demand system

Abstract: In order to serve, to each of a plurality of client terminals, programs and data for selecting a video service while considering the memory capacity of the client terminals, client terminals of a video-on-demand system of the invention send information of their memory capacity together with a request for downloading video selection programs to a server station. The server station downloads the video selection programs arranged into MPEG formatted data, step by step according to the memory capacity information and to the result of the program executed in each of the client terminals, providing an excellent graphical user interface making use of an ordinary bi-directional data transmission network.

Remote limit-setting information distribution system

Abstract: A remotely-configurable information distribution system selectively filters inbound information in response to selection and limit parameters provided by a remotely-connected processing device The selection and limit parameters are assembled as a data packet at the device and the packet is uploaded to the host computer over a limited-bandwidth, communications network Remote software modules resident in the device facilitate both entry of the parameters by an authorized user and the subsequent transfer of those parameters to the host computer A communications system of the host computer receives the data packet and transfers the packet to a host-based "filtering" software subsystem, where selected portions of the inbound information are extracted in response to the parameters of the data packet Upon completion of this latter process, the extracted information is transferred is to the remote processing device over the network in accordance with a non-interactive, asynchronous transfer protocol

Remote access data visualisation system

Abstract: Using a World Wide Web browser having the capability of downloading software, a user can download data together with data visualization software. In a particular arrangement, the user can download traffic data from the call records of a network provider, in relation to particular network numbers. By downloading a data visualization software tool at the same time, the user can look almost in realtime at events on the network. This means a service provider, providing a service on the network can monitor the response to an advertising campaign for instance where a Freephone number has been launched.

Integrated alerting and system broadcast channel for a wireless access system

Abstract: A protocol is described which allows a wireless access system to dynamically multiplex the alerting, system information, and priority access request subchannels on its system-wide broadcast channel. These subchannels each have different requirements with respect to the message length and position within the framing structure; the described protocol meets each of their requirements. The protocol efficiently accommodates a wide range of alerting traffic levels and provides for efficient downloading of system information to subscriber units by using excess capacity when alerting traffic is low. It provides error detection capabilities above that provided by the radio channel alone and is easily extendible to accommodate other services such as paging and low bandwidth broadcast messaging. The flexibility provided by this protocol could permit a broad range of network architectures for wireless access.

High-performance video server for broadband network environment

Abstract: We present a multimedia server comprising of multiple stream controllers connected to a host (work station) I/O bus. Each stream controller manages an array of disks in which multimedia data is stored in format of network packets. When the host instructs the stream controller to deliver a multimedia file to a client, the stream controller retrieves the network packets of that file, completes the missing header/trailer fields, and forwards these packets to the network interface directly, avoiding any further involvement of the host. To avoid interference on the disks, data is interleaved across all disks connected to a stream controller in fixed play back time units. This helps reduce the jitter in the response time of the disks, and therefore, the size of the buffers needed to maintain interruption free delivery. Metadata is stored with the network packets of a video/multimedia file to enable the stream controller to autonomously fetch a complete multimedia/video file without host intervention. In a departure from traditional RAID, the stream controller simultaneously issues a set of read commands periodically, one for each active multimedia stream. Each reach command retrieves a full interleave unit from a single disk, and the set of simultaneously issued read commands are distributed across all disks.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Personal communication in traditional cellular networks

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to describe the flow of calls through the mobile network as it applies to the operation of Basic and Enhanced Services. Included in the discussion is the overall network layout, the physical connections between the network entities, and the signaling protocols which allow the entities to be integrated. The specific functionality of the applications and services are not detailed as the specific implementation varies from vendor to vendor and from service provider to service provider. The Enhanced Services Platform is installed in a service providers network in order to offer mobile subscribers services and applications which would otherwise not be available. The service providers' objective is to increase revenue/subscriber, increase subscriber loyalty/decrease churn, and build competitive advantages through differentiation. The services provided on the Enhanced Services platform can be viewed as either Basic or Enhanced. For the purpose of this paper, Basic Services refers to Numeric Paging, Call Answering, and Voice Messaging while Enhanced Services refers to FAX Messaging, One Number Service, Voice Dialing and other Voice Recognition applications, Information Services including FAX on Demand, and Automated Call Routing.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Internet remote microscope

Abstract: The MIT remote microscope is a telemicroscopy system that allows users to remotely control and view a microscope over the internet with a graphical interface that runs on an ordinary workstation computer. The microscope server consists of an automated Zeiss microscope that is controlled by a personal computer, while the client interface is implemented with custom software developed at MIT. The system was designed primarily to provide remote inspection capabilities for semiconductor researchers during the remote fabrication of integrated circuits, but can also be used as a general purpose instrument for remote inspections. The remote microscope also allows any number of clients to simultaneously view the microscope in a conference inspection mode, enabling collaboration opportunities among distant viewers. Because clients require no special hardware, the internet remote microscope is extremely accessible and easy to use, yet provides powerful remote inspection capabilities, collaboration opportunities, and easy access to hard to reach locations such as clean room environments for semiconductor processing.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.