Patents Represented by Attorney Gregory M. Doudnikoff
  • Patent number: 6542883
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for increasing the efficiency of operations that are to be performed against an arbitrary relational database by automatically ordering the operations according to the referential integrity constraints defined for the affected tables. Because the ordering is performed programmatically, the application developer is relieved of the burden of attempting to structure the application in a manner that avoids violating the referential integrity constraints. The efficiency of modifying the database increases significantly using this technique. The ordering may be performed at a database engine. Existing applications may take advantage of this ordering technique, without requiring change to the application itself. Batch-mode write operations are possible when using this technique, thereby reducing the number of network round-trips that must be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Timo J. Salo
  • Patent number: 6542885
    Abstract: Methods systems and computer program products are provided which provide a transacted variable. The transacted variable is associated with a specific transaction such that actions on the underlying object of the transacted variable do not affect the contents of the transacted variable unless the actions are carried out in the context of the specific transaction associated with the transacted variable. Furthermore, the transacted variable allows for actions to be taken in the context of its specific associated transaction irrespective of an active transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Martin P. Nally, Scott Rich, Joseph P. Winchester
  • Patent number: 6535874
    Abstract: A technique for permitting a client in a client/server computing environment to query a plurality of databases for desired data utilizing a single query sent over a network one time. The single query need not be written in the syntax for the target database, but includes the names of the database and table within the database which contains the desired data. The query is sent from the client over the network via a specified socket, and is received by servers connected to the network which are listening to the specified socket. Each server includes code which determines if the desired data is present in a database which is associated therewith. If so, the server code generates an appropriate query for its associated database, retrieves the desired data from the database and forwards the data to the client over the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Keith J. Purcell
  • Patent number: 6526565
    Abstract: A packaging algorithm for providing software applications having reduced footprints is presented. The algorithm determines the minimum required set of methods and classes from the development environment necessary for the application to run. The application is then packaged with only those necessary methods and classes. The resulting application has a reduced footprint which serves to reduce memory requirements needed to store the application and enhance performance of the application at run-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Martin Paul Nally
  • Patent number: 6523170
    Abstract: A technique for converting a resource file into object oriented source code and/or an object oriented class. A standard resource file is first converted into source code for an object oriented language. The converter includes a subprocess relative to each keyword included in the resource file for converting the information associated with each keyword into a format includable in an object oriented class. Other elements of the resource file, such as the filename, are also converted as needed into the target language, and formal code required by classes in the target language is also created. The preferred target language is Java.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gennaro A. Cuomo, Richard J. Redpath
  • Patent number: 6519576
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for predicting a transaction a customer may wish to make. In, for example, an Internet banking system, when the customer clicks to bring up an “inter-account transfer” panel, the system may recognise that usually, with a given balance in their savings and cheque accounts, and at this time of the month, at this point in the financial year, the customer will want to transfer a given amount to their cheque account. So, as well as providing a window enabling the customer to manually enter the details for an inter-account transfer, the system also provides a personalised window containing the system's anticipated transaction so that with a single-click the customer can complete the transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Clive Alan Freeman
  • Patent number: 6496814
    Abstract: A method and system for integrating spatial analysis, data mining analysis, and scheduling to efficiently schedule and monitor infrastructure maintenance is provided. The physical locations within a region of infrastructure repairs are identified and data values for characteristics of the infrastructure repairs are compiled and stored. Data mining algorithms are used to generate input data for the formulation of a set of spatial relationships. The locations of the infrastructure repairs within the region are associated with the locations of other infrastructure elements to form a set of spatial relationships. Spatial analysis techniques are used to provide understanding of this set of spatial relationships and how they relate to the location of infrastructure elements that are likely to require maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick Davis Busche
  • Patent number: 6493723
    Abstract: A method and system for ascertaining warranty issues associated with transportation products is provided. Transportation products are manufactured at a factory, and as the products are made, historical information concerning significant events related to the manufacturing process may be stored. As the transportation product is delivered to a retail outlet, other significant event information may be stored. Locations are determined within a region for warranty claims related to the servicing of selected transportation products. Product history information for the selected transportation products may be retrieved from one or more databases. Data mining algorithms may be employed to generate input data for forming a set of spatial relationships. The locations of products within the region are then associated with the product history information to form a set of spatial relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick D. Busche
  • Patent number: 6484197
    Abstract: A method and apparatus, in particular, for filtering mail to mitigate the problems of SPAM mail or unwanted access across a network is disclosed. The invention provides an access controller for a data store, operable within for example a mail client. The controller includes a token generating mechanism for generating tokens indicative of the number of times a client can access the data store; and an authenticating mechanism for validating any token included in a message from a client to allow or deny access to said data store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Seamus Brendan Donohue
  • Patent number: 6484163
    Abstract: A technique for enhanced data mining of large scale relational databases is described. User defined functions (UDF) are created by a user and distributed by a managing node of a database to each node of the database. Upon the issuance of a prespecified SQL command, the UDF is executed by each node relative to the data controlled by each node. Specifically, targeted tuples in the data controlled by each node are scored based on criteria contained in the UDF. A new data field is added to each target tuple, and the score is placed therein. The score is then used to determine whether, for example, a customer which is represented by the tuple should be included in an advertising campaign or to tailor a mailing to a customer based on the score contained in the new data field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Martin Lawrence, Mark Steven Ramsey, David Alec Selby, Vincent Philip Thomas
  • Patent number: 6467079
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method in which report program language is converted to object-oriented source code, such as Java, using the report program language compiler. The object-oriented source code emulates the behaviour of the report program language, such as VARPG. Applications written in RPG are converted to Java and therefore can run on every platform for which a Java virtual machine exists. RPG programmers now have the ability to write internet applications. Java applications and applets can be written in RPG and existing RPG applications can be converted to Java applets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah J. Ettritch, John F. Fellner
  • Patent number: 6459392
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer program product for encoding (and subsequently decoding) a sequence of periodic byte values that have a vertical correlation (e.g. so that they can be more efficiently stored and/or electronically transmitted for use in a real-time system or resource-constrained system). Redundant values are omitted through use of marker bytes and bits masks which indicate when a set of values is unchanged and which of the set have changed, respectively. In this manner, the resources required for transmitting, processing, and/or storing the values is reduced. In some systems, the reduction may enable shortening the periodic interval length, such that values of a finer granularity can be processed. An example scenario in which the present invention may be used advantageously is for transmitting periodic input data to a robot controller, in order to control movement of the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter F. Haggar, James A. Mickelson, David M. Wendt
  • Patent number: 6456995
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products automatically order database transaction by an object-oriented transaction system. The objects in the completed transaction are clustered into groups of objects to be inserted into the relational database, objects to be deleted from the relational database and objects to be updated in the relational database. The objects to be inserted into the relational database are ordered according to an insert precedence of the objects into the relational database to thereby define an insert order. The objects to be deleted from the relational database are ordered according to a delete precedence of the objects from the relational database are ordered according to a delete precedence of the objects from the relational database to thereby define a delete order. The objects to be inserted into the relational database are inserted into the relational database in the insert order. Then, the objects to be updated in the relational database are updated in an arbitrary order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timo J. Salo, Kevin J. Williams
  • Patent number: 6457065
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for improving the performance of distributed object systems. A remote object is replicated to the node of the distributed system from which it is accessed. The scope of the replication is a transaction. Thereafter, method invocations on the object occur locally, avoiding the performance overhead of frequent round trips to the remote persistent object store. Changes made to a replicated object by a transaction are represented using a tree structure that is internally managed by the application. When an application or application user has made modifications to a replicated object and requests to commit the modifications, a determination is first made as to whether committing the modifications will result in an unacceptable data conflict. If no unacceptable data conflict will occur, and after resolution of those conflicts that can be resolved, the modifications are committed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Scott Rich, Timo J. Salo
  • Patent number: 6446254
    Abstract: In typical Java and other interpreted programming language environments, the code is stored in ROM in a semi-processed state, .class files containing byte codes. When the device is turned on, a virtual machine resolves references and links the .class file in RAM to permit desired applications to be run. In the invention, the .class files are further pre-processed to select the data which will not change or require updating. This data is packaged into memory image files containing internal data pre-linking this data. The memory image files are stored in ROM and are accessible from ROM by the virtual machine at runtime. Only elements that will be updated, such as the objects themselves, must be instantiated in RAM at runtime. This reduces the amount of RAM needed to run the application. In an environment with memory constraints, the reduction in RAM requirements permits more RAM to be made available for application use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Graham Chapman, John Duimovich, Trent Gray-Donald, Graeme Johnson, Andrew Low, Peter Wiebe Burka, Patrick James Mueller, Ryan Andrew Sciampancone, Peter Duncan Shipton
  • Patent number: 6430547
    Abstract: A method and system for ascertaining relationships between collected geological samples and remotely sensed geological data within a region is provided. The locations of physical samples and the locations of data points associated with remotely sensed data are identified and stored. The locations within the region are determined using a position identifying system, such as the global positioning system. The collected physical samples are analyzed to obtain data values for physical and chemical properties of the collected samples. Data mining algorithms are used to generate input data for the formulation of a set of spatial relationships. The locations of the physical samples within the region are associated with the locations of the remotely sensed data to form a set of spatial relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick D. Busche, Alexander Darius Zekulin
  • Patent number: 6397206
    Abstract: A technique for using working set hints and query signatures to optimize the selection and execution of fixed, static services or queries of information from a database, object server, or similar data repository. The working set hints describe how to read ahead when doing a database query, in order to retrieve data in a single database access that a task is likely to need as it continues executing. By storing the working set hints externally from the application code, the hints can be modified as experience is gained about the true working set that is required during use of each task without having to modify and recompile the application itself. Signatures are created and associated with query commands or services. These signatures are compared to the working set hints for a task when the task traverses an association and needs to retrieve data from the data repository.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Justin H. Hill, Timo J. Salo
  • Patent number: 6393420
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable code for validating that a document or executable to be served from a server is the same original document or executable placed on the server by the legitimate author or owner. Digital signatures are stored with each file available for serving from, or executing from, a server. When a file is requested by a user, the contents of the requested file are validated (i.e. authenticated) using this digital signature. If the validation does not succeed, the file is not served to the user—instead, the user is told that the requested file was not found. A number of optimizations are defined, including caching validated files and/or caching computed digests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Mark E. Peters
  • Patent number: 6367009
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable code for delegating authority and authentication from a client to a server in order that the server can establish a secure connection (using SSL or an analogous security protocol) to a back-end application on behalf of the client. This enables the true client's identity to be known to the application on the end-tier server. The proposed solution provides several alternative techniques, whereby the client establishes a secure session with a middle-tier server (MTS), and then delegates authority and authentication to the MTS in order that the MTS can establish a second SSL session to the ETS on behalf of this client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Charles Davis, David G. Kuehr-McLaren, Timothy Glenn Shoriak
  • Patent number: 6347316
    Abstract: A technique for use in a client-server environment, such as the World Wide Web, for providing a client with the best available translated version of a document requested from a server in a language other than the original language of the document. In response to a request from a client for a document in a secondary language, the technique determines if a version of the document exists in the specified secondary language. The invention supports more than one type of translated version; namely, a machine translation version and a human translation version. Typically, human translation versions are more accurate than machine translation versions. If both translation versions are available and the most recent version is newer than the original document, or if one of the translation versions is available and that version is newer than the original document, the most recent version is sent to the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Richard J. Redpath