Abstract: A system for managing data items at an electronic data repository with respect to a plurality of parties includes an electronic data repository and a computer processor programmed to receive data items from parties remote from the repository and from each other. The program stores the received data items in the repository. It provides each remote party access only to those data items within one or more data item sets corresponding to the remote party. The program prohibits any remote party from modifying any data item in the repository, and from deleting any data item from the repository, while the data item is part of a data item set of another remote party. A first remote party may access data items in a set corresponding to a second remote party, responsively to the second remote party.

Abstract: There is disclosed a data synchronization apparatus for maintaining synchronization between a source data file and a copy data file. The data synchronization apparatus comprises: 1) a bulk copy controller for copying a plurality of data records from the source data file to the copy data file; and 2) an update controller for detecting a change in a data record previously copied by the bulk copy controller from the source data file to the copy data file and copying the changed data record from the source data file to the copy data file.

Abstract: Methods of optimizing access to a relation queried through a number of predicates. The methods identify one or more candidate predicates of the selection condition that can be used to factorize the selection condition. A gain from using one or more of the candidate predicates to factorize the selection condition is computed. One or more of the candidate predicates that result in a positive gain are factored from the selection condition to produce a rewritten selection condition. The candidate predicates can be predicates that appear exactly in the selection condition more than once and/or merged predicates that may be predicates in the selection condition that overlap.

Abstract: A method and a device which provide a concise form for cataloging, finding and filtering stored data, being based also on the notation of emotional traits expressed by the data contained in an archive on which the user works. The emotional traits are displayed analogically and topologically by means of a visualization device.

Abstract: A computing system and method receive a query; separate a plurality of information sources into individual elements of content (EOC); tag each EOC with metadata that indicate source, date, and other relevant information; pattern match each EOC; calculate the distance function from every EOC to every other EOC; and output EOC to a set of virtual buffers (404) containing appropriately related EOC less than a given distance value. The method further creates virtual summary buffers (406); then concatenates the EOC in each virtual buffer (404); applies a comparative analysis filter (318) to remove redundant sub-elements; and presents the results as summary digests (408).

Abstract: A computerized method determines the ranking of documents including information content. The present method uses both content and connectivity analysis. An input set of documents is represented as a neighborhood graph in a memory. In the graph, each node represents one document, and each directed edge connecting a pair of nodes represents a linkage between the pair of documents. The input set of documents represented in the graph is ranked according to the contents of the documents. A subset of documents is selected from the input set of documents if the content ranking of the selected documents is greater than a first predetermined threshold. Nodes representing any documents, other than the selected documents, are deleted from the graph. The selected subset of documents is ranked according the linkage of the documents, and an output set of documents exceeding a second predetermined threshold is selected for presentation to users.

Abstract: A search engine that is client-side, provides high performance and creates a user preference history record relative to a knowledge base is provided. The more time the user spends using the search engine, the more the history record is updated, refined, and translated into personal preferences relative to that knowledge base. The invention is natural language based. In addition, it is applicable to a variety of knowledge bases, each which may have their own associated history record, and can be adapted to other applications such as on-line help, interactive training, wizard functions, virtual chat sessions, intelligent bots, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storage, insertion, deletion, and searching of a database index using a compact representation of a 0-complete binary tree. The compact representation, termed a C0-trie, is represented in a computer memory as a set of layered vectors with the layering of the vectors corresponding to the depths of the C0-trie. Insertion and deletion processes maintain the representation of the C0-trie remains in a well-formed and taut state at the end of each operation, thus providing subsequent efficient manipulations of the C0-trie in computer memory.

Abstract: A method for processing data objects, which are arranged in a data space, provides a multidimensional information space with discrete storage locations that represent information objects. Each information object is derived from an information basic object and contains at least one index specification which is characteristic for the position of the data object in the data space. In addition, each information object has at least one attribute specification for at least one virtual dimension of the information space. The information object can be identified in the information space using a processor of a computing device. Processing of the data object can be prompted by at least one instruction record.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for organizing data by overlaying a searchable database with a directory tree structure. The method includes generating the directory tree structure that includes nodes comprising a designated category for each node and branches comprising links between the nodes, and generating one or more pointers. Each pointer corresponds to a specific node and the pointer links the specific node to an item of data within the searchable database. All pointers associated with the specific node link related items of data corresponding to the designated category. Each node within the directory tree structure can include a corresponding html address. Items of data can be web-based multimedia including audio, video, images, and appropriately formatted text, displayed in an encyclopedia-like format. Nodes, branches, and pointers within the directory tree structure can continually be added, edited, or deleted.

Abstract: An automatic aggregation method for automatically aggregating a plurality of records using a computer, the plurality of records each including a plurality of items including a key parameter and a numerical value which is at least related to the key parameter, includes the steps of (a) inputting one of the plurality of records to the computer; (b) adding at least one node, representing contents of the input record, to a position, corresponding to the key parameter included in the input record, of a hierarchical tree; (c) updating a value of the at least one node added to the hierarchical tree and a value of a node on a level higher than that of the at least one node, in accordance with the numerical value included in the input record; and (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) until all the plurality of records are processed, thereby outputting an aggregation result for each of items of the key parameter.

Abstract: A web-based system, method and program product are provided for adding content to a content object stored (e.g., a custom compilation or prepublished work) in a data repository as a group of hierarchically related content entities. Each noncontainer content object is preferably stored as a separate entity in the data repository. Each content entity is also stored as a row in a digital library index class as a collection of attributes and references to related content entities and containers. As the user selects desired objects for inclusion in a content object, the system arranges the objects hierarchically, e.g., into volumes, chapters and sections according to the order specified by the user. The system then creates a file object (e.g., a CBO) defining the content object that contains a list or outline of the container and noncontainer entities selected, their identifiers, order and structure. This file object is stored separately in the data repository.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for notifying a user of new data entered into an electronic system. The method includes formatting a searchable database into a directory tree structure, the directory tree structure includes nodes comprising related data and branches comprising links between the nodes. Each related data is categorized by one or more navigation paths through the directory tree structure and by one or more set parameters, the parameters being specific to the node in which the related data is included.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing information related to backup storage activities of data storage systems. In a computer system having one or more independent backup data storage systems coupled to each other and each serving one or more clients, a user may obtain information related to backup activities of any of the backup storage systems from a single location. Through a user interface associated with any of the backup storage systems, or through a stand alone user interface, a user may manage (e.g., organize, display, print) information related to backup activities of any or all of the backup storage systems. System administrators can design and store a variety of report formats that may be utilized by any user to display or print various parameters associated with backup activities in a particular manner. Report formats may be edited by users, and displayed parameters may be dynamically updated to provide for active monitoring of one or more backup storage systems.

Abstract: A method for combining multimedia files according to the present invention includes a step of selecting a plurality of files of the same kinds or different kinds, a step of checking the structures of the selected files, and a step of combining the selected files based on their structures. Various useful information for users can also be added to the combined files to provide the users better service. The present invention can be implemented in an on-line system as well as an off-line system.

Abstract: A system and method for connecting to a set of phrases joining multiple schemas is disclosed. A phrase identifying particular content corresponding to a particular schema is submitted by an affiliated data provider to a portal. The portal matches the phrase to a set identifying particular content corresponding to multiple schemas. The portal may match the phrase to the same set as another phrase identifying the particular content in the particular schema. The portal may match the phrase to a set in a particular group of sets identifying content across common schemas. The portal may match the phrase to a set in the same group as another phrase identifying content in the particular schema. The portal may match the phrase to a previously established set or to a newly established set.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting, receiving and manipulating information on a computer system, the apparatus including a plurality of containers, each container being a logically defined data enclosure and comprising an information element, a plurality of registers, and a gateway.

Abstract: The invention herein provides method and apparatus, including software for determining a set of materialized views or indices of the contents or a subset of the contents of a database in a data processing system to be created for one or more users of the database. The method and apparatus provide method and means for evaluating a workload presented by a user to the database; evaluating the data processing system characteristics; evaluating the database characteristics; and, using the above evaluations for recommending a set of suitable materialized views or indices to the user.

Abstract: An information recovery system automatically selects storage for a replication of a data volume.

Abstract: A database manager and a corresponding method for having a database manager extract information from a relational database having, e.g., a star configuration (i.e. having a hub table and related so-called dimension tables) in response to what is called a joining query (one that would require that dimension tables be joined to the hub table), and, in addition, a query according to the invention. The method includes the steps of: having the database manager provide an alias table for a field from at least one dimension table that would be joined to the hub table according to the joining query, the alias table including each value of the field occurring in the dimension table (the aliased field) and also including an alias for each value of the aliased field; and having the database manager transform the joining query into a reduced query in which the aliased field is replaced by the alias.