158 results about "Distributed collaboration" patented technology

A conventional operating system folder or directory based file system is implemented with, or enhanced to provide, attributes of shared collaborative workspaces. In particular, the conventional file system is connected to either a server based or a distributed collaboration system and the user interface of the operating system file system is augmented to allow it to control aspects of the collaboration system. Each folder or directory can be synchronized and treated as a “workspace” that can be viewed and shared with other users or groups of users. Folder can also be provided with “awareness” information that indicates collaborators that are present and those that are sharing the workspace.

A distributed collaborative computer system that supports application sharing is provided that comprises a plurality of server computers interconnected via a high-speed link. Client computers can connect to any available server computer and start or join a conference hosted on either the server computer to which the client computer is connected or any other server in the system. As a result, the system and method of the present invention allow application sharing among an arbitrary number of client computers.

A distributed collaborative computer system is provided that comprises a plurality of server computers interconnected via a high-speed link. Client computers can connect to any available server computer and start or join a conference hosted on either the server computer to which the client computer is connected or any other server in the system. As a result, the system and method of the present invention is easily scalable to support an arbitrary number of participants to a conference by merely adding the appropriate number of server computers to the system. In addition, by replicating the conference information on more than one server computer, the single point of failure limitation is eliminated. In fact, if a server hosting or participating in a conference malfunctions, the failure is detected by other server computers and the client computer is able to reconnect to the conference through a new server computer.

A distributed collaborative computer system is provided that comprises a plurality of server computers interconnected via a high-speed link. Client computers can connect to any available server computer and start or join a conference hosted on either the server computer to which the client computer is connected or any other server in the system. As a result, the system and method of the present invention is easily scalable to support an arbitrary number of participants to a conference by merely adding the appropriate number of server computers to the system. In addition, by replicating the conference information on more than one server computer, the single point of failure limitation is eliminated. In fact, if a server hosting or participating in a conference malfunctions, the failure is detected by other server computers and the client computer is able to reconnect to the conference through a new server computer.

A method for backing up data in a plurality of computers connected via a network. The method includes forming partnerships between the plurality of computers such that each computer in a partnership commits under agreements to help backup the data of its partners. The method further includes periodically verifying that previously backed up data is being retained by the computers committed to act as backup partners in accordance with the agreements. In another embodiment, the method provides a distributed cooperative backing up of data in a system that includes a loose confederation of computers connected via a network. In this embodiment the method includes selecting computers as potential backup partners from among the loose confederation of computers connected via the network based on predetermined criteria, and negotiating a reciprocal backup partnership agreement between the computers based on predetermined requirements, including backup requirements. Once the negotiations are complete and the agreements are made, the method proceeds to form partnerships between the computers. The computers become backup partners by agreeing to cooperatively provide backup services to each other so that a distributed cooperative backing up of data can be administered in the absence of central control. The method further includes periodically backing up data at the backup partners, where the data being backed up is encoded. The method also includes periodically verifying that previously backed up data is retained by the backup partners. Another aspect of the invention is a distributed cooperative backup system that includes a network and a loose confederation of computers connected via the network. A plurality of computers from among the loose confederation of computers is configured for distributed cooperative backing up of data and for functioning as backup partners. Each computer of the plurality of computers has a storage that can be used for providing reciprocal backup services. Each computer of the plurality of computers respectively also has a computer readable medium embodying computer program code configured to cause the computer to perform functions comparable to the method steps as described above.

A method and mechanism for a web based knowledge management tool. A knowledge management tool enables one to interact with a knowledge base and enable distributed collaboration between parties. Users may create and customize portlets to interact with the knowledge base in a variety of formats, such as, e.g., a survey and a FAQ. The information describing the appearance and operation of the portlets is stored within a database coupled to a portal database server, which is a component that provides content pertaining to a portal web site to one or more web browsers 101. Graphical based reports based upon user activity may be dynamically generated and subsequently displayed through portlets as well.

Systems and methods are disclosed for a distributed computing infrastructure on a computer network comprising a plurality of computers. The distributed computing infrastructure (DCI) provides a software platform for creating, running, and managing distributed applications. DCI may include XML-capable software applications on a peer-to-peer network. DCI may include small, network-unaware applications called peerlets. DCI may include a system and method for creating complex distributed applications using pre-complied binaries. DCI may include a capability for multiple, independent collaborative sessions for distributed collaborative applications (e.g., chat, instant messaging, shared whiteboard, etc.). DCI may include systems and methods for reducing interactions between users and applications to archivable form and then playing back the interactions. DCI may include a system and method for automatic software retrieval on a peer-to-peer network.

The invention comprises a system that permits secure distributed collaboration and communications for small trusted groups of people. The presently preferred embodiment of the invention allows users to communicate and transfer information easily and effortlessly. The invention requires very little administration, and no central server or central administration is required.

This invention treats of a two-level cache management method for continuous media files of a proxy server. In the first level, the method reserves collapsed buffers in the cache for every active client attended by the proxy server. To save bandwidth and memory space collapsed buffers can be concatenated and overlapped when content belongs to the same continuous media file. The proxy manages collectively the collapsed buffers of each client, which cooperate by making its content available to the whole system, reducing traffic over the communication network and on the media-on-demand server. In the second level, the method allows proxy servers to cooperate between themselves, by concatenating collapsed buffers when necessary, increasing the amount of available shared media in the cache, saving bandwidth both on the media-on-demand server and on the communication network backbone.

Two-way (full-duplex) wireless links in facilitating network management and improve network performance. Once aspect includes methods for network management using an overlaid network for control signaling. Another aspects include methods to facilitate practical realization and improve performance of some of the network information theoretic configurations, such as Space-Division Multiple Access (SDMA) in uplink and downlink, Interference Channel, and other forms of distributed collaborative signaling schemes. Another aspect includes methods to support cognitive wireless networks.

Methods and systems for space-time coding for distributed cooperative communication.

The message flows of a distributed, cooperative, and real-time protocol for frame-based spectrum sharing called Frame-based On-Demand Spectrum Contention (FODSC) employs interactive MAC messaging on an inter-network communication channel to provide efficient, scalable, and fair inter-network spectrum sharing among the coexisting cognitive radio cells.

A system, method, and article of manufacture that allow a document containing custom objects to be shared in a distributed collaborative computer system. This is accomplished by allowing custom objects to be embedded in a document. When the document is to be shared, the document with custom objects is converted to a Rich Multi-Media (RMM) format. Furthermore, the converted document may be shared during a collaborative session among multiple computers. Alternatively, the converted document may be viewed by a user independent of a collaborative session.

Systems and methods for distributed monitoring of a wireless network using a plurality of wireless client devices in communication with the wireless network.

A Distributed Video System provides a scalable and interactive video-on-demand service with VCR operations over a communication network includes a video server and video clients, each of which includes a memory buffer, called a client buffer. The System provides a method of managing video frames of client buffers in a cooperative way with video frames held in the video server allows the video frames of the client buffers to be shared among the video clients. Requests for a video are primarily served by the video clients that have the requested video frames in their client buffers and only requests that the video clients are unable to attend to will be provided by the video server.

The invention relates to a distributed cooperative caching method capable of realizing node and message state combined perception and belongs to the technical field of a distributed cooperative caching technology for opportunistic networks. The method aims to solve the problem of the lower node caching efficiency at present, dissemination states of messages are perceived, weight values of the messages are dynamically estimated, and the encounter probability of nodes and message target nodes is predicted with an encounter probability estimation method; then the messages are cached in a classified manner on the basis of differences between message source nodes, different caching priorities are given, and the messages in node caches are replaced in a cooperative manner with a cooperative partition cache replacement mechanism, so that the caching efficiency of the nodes is improved; finally, in order to solve the problem of decrease of the message delivery rate caused by unchecked deletion of messages in a traditional cache management mechanism, a distributed cooperative cache transfer mechanism is adopted, top-k cooperative node sets of the nodes are dynamically selected in advance, and the messages in the node caches are transferred to cooperative nodes in a communication range when the node caches are full, so that the delivery probability of the messages is increased.

Network node for a distributed cooperative multi-antenna communication, including at least two sending and receiving units, wherein the network node is adapted to receive an indication of a protocol descriptor from a mobile communication device and wherein the network node is communicatively couplable with at least one further network node. Furthermore, the network node may be adapted to provide and/or receive an indication of a protocol descriptor and/or a channel access method to/from the at least one further network node.