Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for decentralized data storage and processing for IoT devices are disclosed. An example apparatus includes memory; and a processor to cause storage of a contract in an off-chain datastore; generate a hash value of the contract; cause storage of the hash value on a blockchain to be accessible to multiple nodes in an IoT network; and cause storage of a transaction on the blockchain, the transaction corresponding to an objective of the contract based on data sensed by an IoT device in the IoT network.

A network system includes a cloud server, and a gateway host coupled to the cloud server. The gateway host includes an application server to execute an application. The network system includes a plurality of end devices. Each end device is configured to wirelessly send and receive communication signals to and from the gateway host. The gateway host is configured to receive sensed data from the plurality of end devices, process the received sensed data with the application, and communicate results of the processing to the cloud server.

An image forming device and an operating method of an image forming device are provided. The operating method includes receiving first authentication information corresponding to an account of a first user, when the account of the first user is authenticated according to the first authentication information, preparing an operation of the image forming device according to usage authorization of the first user; receiving a request to provide job information of the first user, obtaining a first job list of the first user from a ledger on which job information of a user with respect to a certain image forming job is recorded, based on a blockchain in which the ledger is distributed and managed, and performing a first image forming job selected from the first job list.

An information processing apparatus provides a sharing service of enabling information to be shared by one or more terminal apparatuses, the information processing apparatus being capable of communicating with the one or more terminal apparatuses, and the one or more terminal apparatuses being associated with a group; receives first identification information from each of the one or more terminal apparatuses; and associates the first identification information with the sharing service. When having associated the first identification information with the sharing service, the information processing apparatus associates, with the group, the one or more terminal apparatuses having received the first identification information from outside and having transmitted the first identification information; and provides the sharing service of enabling information to be shared by the one or more terminal apparatuses that are associated with the group.

Methods, media, and systems are disclosed for adding new users to a channel in a group-based communication system. The system receives a request to add new users to a channel. The system adds a new user by classifying the new user's email address domain as internal or external. If the domain is internal, the first user is added to the channel as a member, and if the domain is external, the user is prompted for a type of access for the new user. If the new user's access type is guest, the new user is added to the channel as a guest. If the type of access is shared, the channel is shared with an organization associated with the domain, and the new user is added as a member of the channel that has been shared.

In a running distributed data storage system that actively processes I/Os, metadata nodes are commissioned and decommissioned without taking down the storage system and without introducing interruptions to metadata or payload data I/O. The inflow of reads and writes continues without interruption even while new metadata nodes are in the process of being added and/or removed and the strong consistency of the system is guaranteed. Commissioning and decommissioning nodes within the running system enables streamlined replacement of permanently failed nodes and advantageously enables the system to adapt elastically to workload changes. An illustrative distributed barrier logic (the “view change barrier”) controls a multi-state process that controls a coordinated step-wise progression of the metadata nodes from an old view to a new normal. Rules for I/O handling govern each state until the state machine loop has been traversed and the system reaches its new normal.

In a running distributed data storage system that actively processes I/Os, metadata nodes are commissioned and decommissioned without taking down the storage system and without introducing interruptions to metadata or payload data I/O. The inflow of reads and writes continues without interruption even while new metadata nodes are in the process of being added and/or removed and the strong consistency of the system is guaranteed. Commissioning and decommissioning nodes within the running system enables streamlined replacement of permanently failed nodes and advantageously enables the system to adapt elastically to workload changes. An illustrative distributed barrier logic (the “view change barrier”) controls a multi-state process that controls a coordinated step-wise progression of the metadata nodes from an old view to a new normal. Rules for I/O handling govern each state until the state machine loop has been traversed and the system reaches its new normal.

A system and method for dynamic dining patty group management that may comprise a software application operating on a user mobile device which facilitates communication with other application users, restaurant devices, and a dining party management server which provides various services for implementing dining party group management. Restaurant devices may include various detection devices that detect the late arrival of a dining party group member, wherein the detection of a late arrival may be communicated with the dining party management server such that the server generates and sends a text-based message to the mobile device of the late arriving dining party member that confirms the mobile device user is a dining party member and allows the user to place a food order via their mobile phone such that the food order arrives at the same time as the rest of the dining party's food orders.

An forum facilitator device is provided that allows for a controlled environment to provide a secure forum for residents to provide communications to other registered users of the secure forum. The communications are provided through posts made in the secure forum and through other types of communications from the inmate such as but not limited to emails and text messages. The forum facilitator device operates the secure forum and implements rules to control what is posted on the secure forum, who is able to access the secure forum, and what entities are allowed to view and interact with residents of the controlled environment.

A method and apparatus are provided for connecting a user equipment to electronic devices. The method includes receiving, for a connection to an electronic device, a first broadcast message transmitted by the electronic device according to a first communication mode, wherein the first broadcast message includes information indicating whether the electronic device supports a connection to the electronic device according to at least one of the first communication mode or a second communication mode that is different from the first communication mode; determining whether the electronic device supports the connection to the electronic device according to at least one of the first communication mode or the second communication mode based on the information; and establishing the connection to the electronic device according to the first communication mode or the second communication mode based on a result of the determining.