Abstract: A method and system for converting plain text into structured data. Parse trees for the plain text are generated based on the grammar of a natural language, the parse trees are mapped on to instance trees generated based on an application-specific model. The best map is chosen, and the instance tree is passing to an application for execution. The method and system can be used both for populating a database and/or for retrieving data from a database based on a query.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of utilizing an Internet terminal coupled to the world wide web to create multiple applications for accessing an existing proprietary data base management system. A dynamic tracing facility permits the developer to debug the applications using a common trace capability which processes and stores information from the trace of the applications within a common storage facility. The trace process is divided into two major components. A generic trace formatting module processes all trace results from various applications into a standardized format for storage and subsequent use. The second component is a generic policy in which the developer can present the trace parameters of a particular unique application in a standardized form. To store trace information from a plurality of applications into a common storage area, each of the applications is provided with a common identifier within the trace parameters.

Abstract: A method and structure of searching a database containing hypertext documents comprising searching the database using a query to produce a set of hypertext documents; and geometrically clustering the set of hypertext documents into various clusters using a toric k-means similarity measure such that documents within each cluster are similar to each other, wherein the clustering has a linear-time complexity in producing the set of hypertext documents, wherein the similarity measure comprises a weighted sum of maximized individual components of the set of hypertext documents, and wherein the clustering is based upon words contained in each hypertext document, out-links from each hypertext document, and in-links to each hypertext document.

Abstract: According to the present invention, techniques for performing security functions in computer storage subsystems in order to prevent illegal access by the host computers according to logical unit (LU) identity are provided. In representative embodiments management tables can be used to disclose the Logical Unit in the storage subsystem to the host computers in accordance with the users operational needs. In a specific embodiment, accessibility to a storage subsystem resource can be decided when an Inquiry Command is received, providing systems and apparatus wherein there is no further need to repeatedly determine accessibility for subsequent accesses to the Logical Unit. Many such embodiments can maintain relatively high performance, while providing robust security for each LU.

Abstract: A plurality of user personas relating to various criteria for performing tasks for a user is created. A policy manager for various criteria, which apply to the user regardless of any one persona among the plurality of personas, including sub-personas thereof is established. At least one user persona from among the plurality of user personas is selected. A computer network searching task based on the policy manager and the at least one user persona selected from among the plurality of user personas is performed. Results of the computer network searching task for the user in at least a two dimensional graphical representation are presented.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus is operated to optimize the amount of information represented by entries in a database. The operation comprises forming prior distributions over the parameters of entries in the database and subjecting a potential entry for the database to a process of evaluation. The evaluation includes, (a) sampling parameters from the prior distributions, (b) calculating a utility function from the samples and from the potential entry, and (c) calculating a utility value from the utility function. The process of evaluation is repeated for each of a plurality of further potential entries and the potential entry having the highest calculated utility value is selected.

Abstract: A system for retrieving cancelled bank checks. The storage locations of cancelled bank checks tend to change over the lifetimes of the checks. The invention transmits a search query which identifies checks of interest, to the computer servers handling the stored checks. The servers locate the checks, if present, which match the query. The query is transmitted to the servers as part of a URL, Uniform Resource Locator, which is an Internet address.

Abstract: A method of searching or browsing multimedia data which can effectively search or browse an image is disclosed. In the present method, the searching or browsing is performed in consideration of at least one of a reliability information on a weight of a feature of an input multimedia data and an authority code. According to the method, the system selects reference multimedia data, and searches the multimedia data using a weight of a feature and/or a feature element of the input multimedia data. A user gives feedback on the relevance of the searched or browsed multimedia data, and the system calculates a new weight using the relevance information. Thus, the system updates and maintains new weights of features and/or feature elements.

Abstract: A computer system for synchronizing a mobile device with a remote enterprise database includes a replication database. The replication database is mapped to and maintained as a subset image of the remote enterprise database through a bi-directional replication process. A mobile device gateway server is coupled to the replication database. The mobile device gateway includes a concentrator, which is configured to selectively receive replication data from the replication database, transform the received replication data into a format native to the mobile device and to selectively send the received and transformed replication data to the mobile device. The concentrator is also configured to receive mobile device data, transform and to send the received mobile device data to the replication database. The mobile device gateway server acts as a middle tier between one or more enterprise databases and one or more mobile devices or any network-enabled thin client.

Abstract: A design information communication system having a design dictionary, design directory, and design data blocks is disclosed. The system may be used for communicating design attributes and values for various devices under design. The dictionary defines various attributes of the device. The directory identifies, or lists the required attributes to design the device. The data block provides values for the identified attributes. A plurality of dictionaries may be grouped as a dictionary repository. The dictionary repository may be contained by a server connected to a network such as the Internet.

Abstract: A method for searching a computer directory database is disclosed. The method compares a first and second filename strings, the comparing operating in reverse order, from the end of the strings towards the beginning until either the entirety of the strings has been compared or a mismatch has been found.

Abstract: An improved duplicate detection technique that uses query-relevant information to limit the portion(s) of documents to be compared for similarity is described. Before comparing two documents for similarity, the content of these documents may be condensed based on the query. In one embodiment, query-relevant information or text (also referred to as “snippets”) is extracted from the documents and only the extracted snippets, rather than the entire documents, are compared for purposes of determining similarity.

Abstract: A system allows exchange of information by converting it to/from proprietary formats from/to XML. An XML import tool may be used to import data from an XML file into a target repository by receiving user input for selecting data structures within the target repository, for selecting set of fields that belong to the selected set of data structures, and for mapping fields in the selected set of fields to tags associated with data within the XML file. A set of commands is generated based on the user inputs for populating the one or more fields that are mapped to tags with the data in the XML file. The set of commands cause the one or more fields that are mapped to tags to be populated with the data in the XML file.

Abstract: An associative search methodology is presented whereby words, phrases, entire documents or technical jargon are input to the system for the purposes of searching a database for like items. A self-organizing associative data structure utilizing Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) combined with a Hierarchical Mixture of Experts (HME) neural network learning system tracks relationships between words and word groupings as well as user significance feedback to automatically expand the search so that data elements can be found which cross technological/taxonomic boundaries. This results in an increase in both recall and precision parameters for each individual user's search.

Abstract: A recovery utility apparatus for expediting recovery time during failure of one or more database data sets is provided. A backup copy restore utility is configured to read and restore a backup copy of the database data set. A change accumulation manager is configured to read detail records in an incomplete change accumulation data set. A log manager is configured to read a log to derive updates subsequent to a merge end point, wherein the updates are reflective of spill records. An image copy restore utility is configured to apply the detail records to the backup copy to thereby create a restored database data set. A database update manager is configured to apply the updates to the restored database data set.

Abstract: A method for consumption via a network that simultaneously provides a plurality of consumption activities for the user to select from and presents the selected consumption activity result in a predetermined form to the user. The method further registers the selected consumption activity as a paid consumption activity of the user so that the user does not need to pay again when the user again uses the paid consumption activity. The invention also provides a system for consumption via a network according to the method.

Abstract: Directory synchronization is disclosed. A synchronization logic synchronizes a first directory and a second directory. The logic has one or more synchronization capabilities: a dampening capability, an identifier mapping capability, and a checksum capability. The dampening capability prevents changes that originate from the second directory that have already been synchronized to the first directory from being synchronized back to the second directory. The identifier mapping capability uses a table that maps a unique identifier of each record of the first directory with a unique identifier of a corresponding record of the second directory. Records that are moved within a directory can then be located. The checksum capability uses a checksum for each record in one of the directories, to efficiently detect changes.

Abstract: A method executed by a data processor for scanning a reverse range. The scan is conducted in an index for a table having an upper end and a lower end. The reverse range has a start key value for defining the reverse range, and the index has a set of keys representing a set of records and record attributes in the table. Each key in the set of keys has a RID designating a record in the table and a key value corresponding to an attribute of the record in the table. The method includes the steps of searching the index for a start key, selecting an upper bound of the reverse range, and, if the upper bound is the first key in the index, indicating that the index does not contain any key value within the reverse range, or, if the upper bound is not the first key in the index, then fetching each key below the upper bound in the index.

Abstract: A method and system for ensuring an current and valid copy of a distributed database is re-installed for a file server that has failed and been restored or otherwise has been offline and is then brought online. This invention can include validating the database each time the database is opened. The method can include placing a signature in the database indicating that the database was closed normally. The method can also include indicating the time the database was last used. The method can also check the partition placement and structure with other servers that hold replicas to insure that the partition structure is correct. The method can also include comparing the synchronization state of replicas with the other servers that hold replicas of the database to see if they agree on the synchronized/time/state of the replicas of the restored server. The method can also check to see that the database belongs to this server.

Abstract: A method and system for loading files into a spreadsheet application program (SAP) operating on a computer system, using an escalating load sequence. The SAP determines if a normal load mode failed while attempting to load the files. In response to determining that the normal load mode failed, the SAP escalates the load sequence to a safe load mode, where a plurality of checks are performed and the files are repaired. The SAP also determines if the safe load mode was successful in repairing and loading the files. If the SAP determines that the safe load mode was unsuccessful, the SAP escalates the load sequence to a data recovery mode, where the spreadsheet application program attempts to extract formulas and values from the file.