摘要:
A system and method for providing real-time, dynamic switching between first and second service providers each capable of providing a service for users over a communications network. The method includes steps of: establishing switching criterion for deciding when to switch service provision between the first service provider and second service provider; maintaining state information associated with a user's use of the service provided by a first service provider; switching between the first and second service provided over the communications network based on satisfaction of the switching criterion; and, migrating any state information maintained up to the time of switching to the second service. Preferably, the dynamic switching occurs in a manner substantially transparent to the user.
摘要:
A subscriber to a service that monitors user behavior first registers with that service and selects a model of user behavior. The service then transmits that model to an agent, situated capable of monitoring user behavior and relating it to the model. After the monitoring interval the agent transmits data from the model to a server, where that data is summarized and reports created. These reports can then be sent to the subscriber in satisfaction of their needs for behavioral information.
摘要:
The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for implementing context-dependent security for files and other computer system resources. In particular, methods and apparatus of the present invention implement context-based permissions that are used in context-dependent file security. In examples of the present invention, the context-based permissions may allow access to a file only when an attempt to access the file is made at a certain time of day, or from an authorized computer system, or from a computer having a certain application program installed. In general terms, the context-based permissions may specify time, location and application information that either alone or in combination may be used to restrict access to a file.
摘要:
A method, system, and computer program for managing proficiency information about a degree holder. An active degree in a degree field is issued to a degree holder. The active degree includes a certification that the degree holder has completed at least one degree process, a strength value associated with the certification indicating a proficiency in the degree field, and a strength evaluator configured to adjust the strength value such that the strength value reflects the degree holder's proficiency in the degree field over time.
摘要:
Methods and devices for securely providing personalities to reconfigurable hardware. Reconfigurable hardware is provided with one or more domains. At least one domain serves as a gatekeeper domain and another domain serves as a task domain. A service provider provides an authentication and security personality to the gatekeeper domain. The hardware is shipped to the user. A user then accesses the service provider via a network connection and downloads a task personality into the task domain, but only if the personality in the gatekeeper domain allows the download to take place. Once the task personality completes a task, the user may download another task personality into the task domain, if permitted by the personality loaded in the gatekeeper domain. The domains and personalities are managed and made available by the service provider.
摘要:
The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for controlling software patching activity in, for example, computer systems. Methods and apparatus of the present invention may implement a software shell and institute a patching policy to control patching activities. When implemented, the software shell acts as a barrier which permits patching of the underlying software only when the patching activity would be in accordance with the instituted patching policy. Various patching policies can be instituted in embodiments of the present invention. For example, patching may be done when convenient; or just before when the software requiring the patch is needed; or patching may be blocked to prevent unwanted software characteristics and/or behavior. In other circumstances, patching may be delayed until confidence has been established in a new patch so as to avoid disrupting a computer system that is already functioning in an acceptable manner. In still further circumstances, a particular software action may be blocked so as to avoid the necessity of having to patch software, particularly when the action may interrupt the orderly function of a computer system.
摘要:
The present invention concerns methods and apparatus that categorize states of computer systems selected to receive state-dependent maintenance activities as a prelude to the performance of those maintenance activities. In methods and apparatus of the present invention, it is determined, for example, that a certain version of an application program operating in computer systems having a specific operating system will be updated. A signature corresponding to the combination of the application program and operating system is incorporated in a software agent. The software agent is designed to poll computer systems in order to identify targets drawn from a population of computer systems that have states corresponding to the signature incorporated in the software agent. All computer systems having states that correspond to the signature then have the state-dependent computer maintenance activity performed on them.
摘要:
The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for managing multiple virtual machines simultaneously operative in a computing environment. The methods and apparatus of the present invention provide an integrated work environment—for example, a desktop—which incorporates graphical and control elements from multiple virtual machines. In embodiments of the present invention, application programs and resources available in multiple virtual machines can be accessed from a single desktop. Methods and apparatus of the present invention provide visual cues for associating control elements and resources with particular virtual machines. In embodiments of the present invention, multiple virtual machines operative in a computing environment can comprise a plurality of collaborative virtual machines, or a private virtual machine and one or more collaborative virtual machines.
摘要:
Methods, systems, and computer programs for servicing and/or providing spontaneous collaboration between a shopper and consultants concerning a shopping goal. Information about the shopper's physical or logical proximity to a particular product category, combined with the current contents of his or her shopping cart is used to determine one or more shopping goals. Information about each potential consultant, including physical proximity, willingness to consult, areas of expertise and recent experience is used to rank each consultant in terms of relevance to one or more shopping goal. Communication is established between the shopper and one or more consultants in order that consulting services be provided. Consultants' evaluations are maintained persistently for use in future ranking. In some cases collaboration is coordinated by a service bureau.
摘要:
A system accesses a log of events on more than one computing system and scans these logs in an effort to determine the likely cause of various items of interest, events, or problems. These items of interest often include improper or frustrating behavior of a computer system, but may also include delightful or beneficial behaviors for which a user, group of users, company, service, or help desk seeks a cause. Once the likely source of the item of interest is found, a test may be performed to confirm the source of the problem and warning or corrective action taken.