Abstract: Transforming data prior to loading the data into a data warehouse. Software of the invention partitions data records received from a plurality of servers and performs sequential file management operations and identifier management operations on each of the partitions prior to loading the data records into the data warehouse. Data records transformed according to the invention are easier to load into the data warehouse and easier to manipulate after loading. The invention enables analysis and data mining of tens of terabytes of user level detail data and summary data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is directed to an integration of a computer modeling process in which a Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) machine is used for manufacture or rapid prototyping. As a result, conventional processes that require a level of human interface during the intermediate stages are minimized or otherwise removed. Intermediate stages include Computer Aided Design(CAD) stage, Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) stage, Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) stage and Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machine stage. By using Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS), a CAD data file is converted for direct input to the CNC machine that is able to read NURBS instruction codes.

Abstract: Optical properties with high non-linearity such as a modulation transfer function (MTF) are efficiently optimized at high speed compared to conventional methods. An optimal solution of an optical system is obtained in a first optimization unit using a merit function on aberration. Weights or target values of the merit function on aberration is automatically adjusted in a second optimization unit in a manner that an evaluated value of the MTF or the like approaches a desired value. The first optimization unit re-optimizes the optical system using the weights or target values which have been automatically adjusted. Thus, automated is a function equivalent to the operation which has been conducted by a designer such as adjustment to weights or target values.

Abstract: A method for securing and processing sparse access control list (ACL) data in a relational database used as a backing store for a hierarchical-based directory service. The sparse ACL data is secured in a plurality of tables. An owner table stores data objects with explicitly set ACLs. A propagation table stores data on whether individual ACLs are inherited by descendant objects. A permissions table stores data regarding permissions which a user may perform on an object. A source table stores data for a set of ancestor objects having respective ACLs for each of a set of descendant objects. Preferably, the tables are stored in the relational database together with the objects. For a given object, data in the tables is used to determine the given object's entry owner and ACL. The inventive technique has particular applicability in a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory service having a relational database as a backing store.