Abstract: A method for integrating the schemas of a plurality of independent and heterogeneous database management systems of a distributed database management system (DDBMS). The DDBMS includes a computer system in which the DDBMS resides and one or more subservient computer systems. The schemas of two of the independent database systems are fetched from the subservient computer systems. The schemas are converted from a relational database form to an object-oriented form. The schemas are then normalized and displayed graphically. Equivalencies are identified and the two schemas are integrated. These steps are repeated until the schemas of all data bases to be integrated have been integrated into a single integrated, or global schema.

Abstract: Data exchange system includes at least one portable data processing unit (5) having data communication elements (14), processing device (15) and memory elements (16). The latter includes an executive program (17) and one or more application descriptions (18(1) . . . 18(n)). Each application description has at least one interaction context (19(1) . . . ) comprising commands, data elements, data references, procedures, access conditions, and external references. The structure of the data elements and the data references, as well as other references, is chosen in such a way that a very efficient use of the restricted memory space of, for example, smart cards is obtained.

Abstract: The method comprises several card customization steps and uses a data base formed by files containing customization data. To prevent the recording on a particular card, during one of the steps, of data designed for another card, there is provided a preliminary identification step that consists of the recording, on the card, of an identification element associated with one of the files. At each following steps, the identification element is read on the card so as to gain access to the associated file. Application notably to identity or credit cards.

Abstract: A system for automatically responding to character-based messages is disclosed. A pattern database is defined with pattern definitions for matching input messages and response definitions for automatically responding to matching input messages. Patterns definitions include token definitions which define criteria for matching a portion of an input message. The pattern definitions further include pattern decisions that contain logical expressions which increases the flexibility in defining patterns to match messages. The response definitions include function definitions and optional function decisions. Functions to be performed in response to a matching message are specified in the function definitions, wherein performance of the specified functions is dependent upon evaluation of the function decisions.

Abstract: A computer system includes first and second subsystems. A device is coupled to the second subsystem. The first subsystem is provided with a function for processing a request to access the device. The first subsystem is also provided with information for translating a format of the request. The information is transferred from the first subsystem to the second subsystem. Occurrence of the request is detected in the second subsystem. The format of the request is transformed referring to the information in the second subsystem. Thereafter, the request is processed in the second subsystem to access the device. The information may include first information for translating the logical address into a real address and second information for translating the file offset into a block address.

Abstract: A file update processing apparatus which enables execution of an intended file processing in accordance with the description contents of a correspondence slip and a generation table without requesting a system engineer to design a file processing program when a general person in charge who understands specific items required for a file in execution of daily operations sets predetermined items in the correspondence slip and the generation table so as to match his own business contents. When an original book registration slip, a journalizing table, and an expansion table are input from an input unit, an input processor registers them in correspondence with data files. A file processor generates a record on the basis of items set in the original book registration slip and items generated on the basis of the generation tables and updates the data file on the basis of this record.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting long file names to short file names having an eight character prefix and a three character extension. The long file name is examined and separated into a prefix portion and suffix/extension portion. The prefix and suffix portions of the file name are then converted to short file names using the following steps working from right to left: 1) remove lower case vowels; 2) remove lower case consonants; 3) remove upper case vowels; 4) remove upper case consonants; 5) remove single digit numbers; 6) and remove special characters. When the prefix and suffix have been reduced to the desired number of characters, the two portion are concatenated to form a shorten file name.

Abstract: A computer database management system has a table buffer for buffering as yet uncommitted modifications of records in an original shared database table and a look aside index for redirecting original table accesses to the modifications in the table buffer. Record modifications in the table buffer are indexed by a modified value index having a same key structure as a user-defined index on the original table. An indexing logic performs index functions on both the user-defined index and modified value index to provide integrated indexing of the original table records and table buffer modifications with the user-defined key order.

Abstract: A method of creating a coordinate geometry based (COGO) digital civil site information system (CSIS) model that defines with precision and accuracy each site entity by means of data reconciliation, input, and manipulation. Such data is then mined to obtain data that defines information used in the infrastructure management process. The COGO digital CSIS model may also be implemented for a multitude of tasks related to site management and development.

Abstract: An addressing scheme for file servers. The file handle in a call that accesses a file includes a file system identification, a file identification or inode number and a generation number. The addressing system converts the multi-bit file identification number into an alternative path name that identifies a location for the file without the need for converting the real path name. In one particular embodiment the inode number in binary form is translated into a multiple digit hexadecimal form that is parsed into directory names. The last directory name provides the location of the designated file.

Abstract: A method to automatically monitor an object-oriented program, e.g., for debugging purposes, is characterized by the steps of determining a state of the digital data processor at selected points during execution of the program and, from that state, determining the status of objects created the program. The method also contemplates generating an animated graphical display reflecting the status of those selected objects, and their interrelationships, substantially concurrently with execution of the program.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for operating a client-server computer network such that a server computer dynacically generates and then stores customized pages requested from a client computer. Subsequent requests for previously generated customized pages are retrieved from a cache in the server computer. Since previously generated customized pages need not be re-generated, computational overhead is reduced. This functionality is achieved by transforming a file request into a customized file request. The customized includes the original file request and a selected attribute of a computer user,such as browser name, computer domain, or computer platform. When a customized file request cannot be matched to an existing file on the computer server, an error indication is generated. A customized page corresponding to the file request is created in response to the error indication.

Abstract: A method of encoding position information for a group of recording units on a recording medium having plurality of primary groups, with each primary group having N primary labels and plurality of secondary groups, with each secondary group having M secondary labels. The primary labels and secondary labels are always in a fixed sequence. The primary labels and secondary labels are combined such that for each position X, there is a unique combination of primary label and secondary label. Further, the value of Xth primary label differs by the quotient of X/N from the value of corresponding secondary label of the secondary group when the value of primary label is greater than or equal to the value of secondary label and the value of Xth primary label differs by M subtracted from the value of secondary label when the value of primary label is less than the value of secondary label.

Abstract: An information management system includes a management information database for managing attribute information of object information, an object information database having an information processing area and an information storing area for managing the object information, and a display and processing device for processing the object information while displaying the information, wherein the attribute information of the object information is made and stored in the management information database when the object information is made and processed at the information processing area, so that the object information is accessed by using the attribute information stored in the management information database.

Abstract: A computer apparatus and method for merging system deltas, and more particularly, to a computer apparatus and method for 1) merging a number of system deltas with a copy of a system's files (primary input stream) to create a revised copy of a system's files (primary output stream), 2) merging a plurality of system deltas with one another to create a compiled system delta, 3) creating inverse system deltas, and 4) merging inverse system deltas as in 1) and 2), supra. The methods may be used to save, construct and/or retrieve current and historical system states. The apparatus and method may be used in conjunction with a computer backup process, version manager, or the like.

Abstract: In a DB retrieval method, a two-step retrieval including quantitative and qualitative retrievals is interactively performed so that, through the operation of image information (e.g. map information) having a correspondence to a DB having text information such as attribute information stored therein, attribute information corresponding to the map information is retrieved from the DB. The quantitative retrieval includes a DB information reading process for reading image information, attribute information and information relevant thereto, and a quantitative retrieval process for making a quantitative retrieval including the partial overlaying of another information for retrieval on the original image information (or map information) or a rough retrieval with the other information used as a retrieval key called information lens, and storing the result of retrieval into a work file.

Abstract: A method for subquery elimination for a relational model database based on the SQL language running a database management system (DBMS) under the TANDEM NONSTOP (tm) operating kernel. A series of seven transformation rules are applied to eliminate nested queries in the SQL language. The method and teachings of the present invention generalizes to all types of nested subqueries in SQL, allowing for more efficient computations, allocation and maintenance of system resources.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a report for a user which allows the user to make decisions, without requiring the user to understand or interpret data itself. A database management program executed by a server within a system for generating the report for the user includes a first subsystem for translating user requests for data, for generating dimensional queries for retrieving data from a database, and for processing user modifications to data types used in generating the report. A second subsystem coupled to the first subsystem reads data from the database, creates the data types, creates a mapping of the data types to the data, uses the mapping to translate user-initiated dimensional queries received from the first subsystem into Structured Query Language (SQL), and returns query results to the first subsystem. A third subsystem creates the report at a predetermined time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for providing improved controls in a graphical user interface. One feature of the present invention provides a control that enables a user to assign multiple values to the control. This multi-value field control includes an extension to known controls that allows the user to enter more than one value into the control. After a value has been entered into the multi-value field control, the user can modify or delete the value. Another feature of the present invention provides a control that enables a user to efficiently specify multiple sort criteria for the control. This sort order control lists all of the possible sort criteria together with a selection indicator next to each sort criteria. When the user selects a sort criteria, the sort order control indicates the selection of the sort criteria in the selection indicator and places a numeric character representing the order in which the sort criteria was selected next to the sort criteria.

Abstract: A new type of text search apparatus, capable of finding all occurrence positions of a search string that is an arbitrary character string, within a text which is written as a continous sequence of characters, utilizes for text position reference purposes in an index file, words which each occur (at least once within the text) as the maximum length word, referred to as an extension word, among a set of arbitrarily predefined dictionary words extending from a specific character position. Each such occurrence of a word as an extension word defines one of a set of text position elements, with that set covering all of the character positions of the text. The index file also includes a table which relates each of the extension words to the respective positions at which each of the partial character strings of the word occur within the word.