Abstract:
Content items in a distributed system are defined by a respective key, and each such content item is copied to R1 computer systems of the distributed system which have unique identifiers closest to a value of the respective key, where R1 is less than R2 which is less than R3, at least R2 number of the computer systems have copies of any respective one of the content items for all of the content items, and none of the computer systems farther than R3 in an address space of the distributed system have a copy of the subject content item. Modifications of individual content items are synchronized across all instances thereof responsive to a put operation and/or at periodic intervals.
Abstract:
Messages exchanged among users of a relationship management and work collaboration system are organized within user-defined, secure communication channels organized according to user-defined hierarchies that represent the users' personal relationships with one another. Security of the communications channels is maintained using individual, dynamic keys, each of the keys being uniquely associated with a respective one of the channels, and being generated according to combinations of individual passwords established by each respective channel's participants. In-bound messages in the form of e-mails are received and associated with respective ones of the channels according to e-mail aliases associated with the inbound messages. Out-bound e-mails may be sent to channel participants according to e-mail addresses associated with the participants and channel preferences established by the system users. In some instances, messages are posted or not posted to those of the channels under the control of respective moderators and channel participants.
Abstract:
Virtualization platforms and management clients therefor are communicatively coupled to one another via a control layer logically disposed therebetween. The control layer is configured to proxy virtualization management commands from the management clients to the virtualization platforms, but only after successful authentication of users (which may include automated agents and processes) issuing those commands and privileges of those users as defined by access control information accessible to the control layer. The control layer may be instantiated as an application running on a physical appliance logically interposed between the virtualization platforms and management clients, or a software package running on dedicated hardware logically interposed between the virtualization platforms and management clients, or as an application encapsulated in a virtual machine running on a compatible virtualization platform logically interposed between the virtualization platforms and management clients.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for facilitating the sale, lease, rental, or other monetization of unsold space inventory (e.g., seats, berths, cabins, rooms, etc.) to customers or passengers as guaranteed, empty adjacent space, after the passenger has already purchased a reservation and check-in has commenced. The empty adjacent space (EAS) may be sold as an upgrade when a guest checks-in at an event (e.g., and airline flight, theater performance, train trip, bus trip, hotel stay, day at the beach, parking space lease, etc.) or some time thereafter.
Abstract:
It is respectfully submitted that the Abstract exceeds 150 words. Please consider the following wording: The invention provides a game server computer system and a communications module for transmitting signals to remote player systems over the network shared game environments displayed by the remote player computer systems, game components associated with remote player systems located in the shared environment at remote player systems, movable relative to the shared, game environment, and player scores stored on a computer system, each score corresponding to a remote system, game thresholds reached as a result of movement of game components relative to the shared game environment, and player scores being updated when game thresholds are reached, a party move selector selectable at one of the remote player computer systems associated with a first one of the parties, and a party move module on the game server which, in response to the party move signal, associates all remote player systems associated in unison with all shared game environments.
Abstract:
IT spending by a subject entity is assessed against an industry-wide optimal value of an IT benchmark and a result of that assessment displayed. Importantly, the IT benchmark developed by the present inventor accounts for the subject entity's IT spending as a percentage of the entity's revenue and the entity's IT spending as a percentage of the entity's operating expenses. For the industry as a whole, the optimal value of the IT benchmark is determined on the basis of profitability measures for individual companies within the industry. This process may be performed as part of a larger analysis concerning the subject entity's operations to provide an overall assessment of the entity's financial performance, health, etc.
Abstract:
A bipolar quantum cascade (QC) laser includes a p-n junction disposed adjacent to an active/injection region of semiconductor layers. Systems that make use of such QC lasers and methods for manufacturing such QC lasers are also described.
Abstract:
An ALD reactor chamber contains a vertically moveable heater-susceptor having an attached annular attached flow ring conduit at its perimeter, which conduit has an external surface at its edge that isolates the outer space of the reactor above a wafer and below the wafer to the bottom of the flow ring when the heater-susceptor is in its process position. When the susceptor is in the process position, the outer edge of the flow ring is placed in proximity to an annular ring attached to a Hd of the reactor and together the ring and conduit form a tongue-in-groove (TIG) configuration. In some cases, the TIG design may have a staircase contour (SC), thereby limiting diffusion-backflow of downstream gases to the outer space of the reactor.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus is provided to send information to a video-on-demand (VOD) server. A VOD client device retrieves this information and performs download of multimedia content using this information for subsequent viewing. In one embodiment, this information is provided to the VOD server by a content server upon a user's request made from a computer system other than the VOD client device. In another embodiment, this information is provided to the VOD server by a user's computer system other than the VOD client device; such information having been obtained by the user's computer system from the content server.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for enhancing user experience in a VOD system by providing a facility to remotely control a client device is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a method to synchronize in-band and out-of-band settings of the client device is provided. In another embodiment, a method to perform synchronization of content catalogue on the client device with network-side counterpart with minimal burden on network bandwidth is provided.