Abstract: Providing element dossiers may include obtaining records of relationships between elements from all lifecycle phases of interest, and querying and retrieving a list of all elements related to a target element using the relationship records including relationships between intermediary adjacent lifecycle phases. The method also includes determining inferential and correlation based relationships among dynamically changing elements.

Abstract: Providing element dossiers may include obtaining records of relationships between elements from all lifecycle phases of interest, and querying and retrieving a list of all elements related to a target element using the relationship records including relationships between intermediary adjacent lifecycle phases. The method also includes determining inferential and correlation based relationships among dynamically changing elements.

Abstract: A system and method for progressively querying proprietary information wherein access to the proprietary information is established in a plurality of query plans that provide proprietary information protection based on at least one of query restrictions, data access restrictions, result filtering, and result transformation. Results may be provided to a requesting user by first selling coarse views of the information and then by selling additional residual views that build up details of the information; by offering and promoting the sale of views based on the potential for deriving and synthesizing additional views; by charging based on the view data transmitted, synthesized, derived, processed, or otherwise made available to the customer; and by selling and tracking the rights to the views of the information based on the dependencies among the views.

Abstract: A mechanism for heterogeneous, peer-to-peer, and disconnected workflow execution across a network infrastructure. Performer Agent entities provide a homogeneous view of humans, applications, and heterogeneous workflow systems and components that act as Performers on the network by executing Tasks. Source Agent entities provide a homogeneous view of heterogeneous service requesters such as workflow scripts executing on different workflow systems, which generate Activities that need to execute on Performers as Tasks. Task Request and Task Response messages are used to standardize the communication between Source Agents and Performer Agents, along with other messages for controlling and queuing Tasks. Workflow systems interact with each other as peers using this mechanism by sending workflow execution requests, workflow script templates, and workflow execution environments to each other.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling transmission of a data stream by a server to a plurality of clients in a multicast group. In a first embodiment, one of the clients in a multicast group is designated as a leader. When a service request for transmission of a portion of the data stream is received by the server from any of the clients, the server determines if the service request was from the leader. Responsive to determining that the service request was from the leader, the server broadcasts the portion of the data stream to the clients in the multicast group. Otherwise the broadcasting is deferred. In another embodiment responsive to receipt of the service request for playout of a portion of a video (e.g. a block) from any of the clients in a multicast group, the server determines if a predetermined broadcast criteria has been satisfied. If so the server broadcasts the requested portion to all of the clients in the multicast group.

Abstract: A system for establishing connections between processors in a distributed system of processors connected by a multiple multi-drop network. No wires are needed in addition to those already present in an existing network. In such a network connecting n processors, each processor is connected to all others by n identical multi-drop links. Links are assigned to processors on a one-to-one basis and a processor may transmit messages only on its assigned link. Processors may receive messages on any of these links, thereby enabling a processor to communicate with all others. The advantage of such a network over a single multi-drop link is that there is no contention for a shared link since each processor has a unique transmit line. In addition, no central control means is required for the network, as completely distributed control is utilized.

Abstract: In a data processing system including a relatively large, page-formatted memory, memory control functions are distributed over a plurality of microprocessors connected in an array with each microprocessor controlling a respective area of the large memory. Upon overflow of its assigned memory area, a microprocessor may "borrow" free memory space assigned to one of its neighbors in the microprocessor array. Memory control functions with respect to different areas in the memory can effectively be performed in parallel, thus improving the operating efficiency.

Abstract: A circuit-switched local area network relies on a star topology for data transfer. Signalling information is confined to a single common signalling link or channel. Contention on the signalling link or channel is obviated by the use of a contention resolution device which is coupled to all ports for receiving requests to send from the ports and for providing clear to send messages to the requesting ports, in turn. A port desiring communication with another port first raises its request to send and when it receives a clear to send from the contention resolution device, it places the message or call set up information on the signalling link or channel. Once the call or message set up information has been transmitted, the addressing port may de-assert its request to send which will result in the contention resolution device de-asserting the clear to send.

Abstract: An interface between a bus-oriented computer and a packet-based serial link. A block of data is transferred from the serial link to a buffer, whereupon the bus is issued a request for service. When the bus has read the buffer, the serial link carries an acknowledgement of the reading. If the buffer has not been read, no further block of data is transferred into it. The bus also writes a block of data into another buffer from which it is sent over the serial link if the previous such block has been acknowledged.

Abstract: A plurality of intelligent work stations are provided access to a shared memory through a switching hierarchy including a first array of mapping boxes for receiving a first address from an intelligent work station and including a virtual address and offset and for converting the virtual address into a terminal switch port designation and logical address, a first switch for forwarding the logical address and offset to the designated terminal switch port, a second array of mapping boxes for receiving the logical address and offset and for converting the logical address into a memory switch port designation and physical address, and a second switch for forwarding the physical address and offset to the designated memory switch port as an address to the shared memory.

Abstract: A switching system or local area network is non-blocking, transmit-secure and employs a star type topology. A back plane uses n(n-1) bus lines to interconnect n ports. Each port can transmit on any one of n-1 bus lines depending on the identity of the destination port. Likewise, each port can receive from any of n-1 bus lines, depending on the identity of the transmitting port. Signalling as well as data flow on the same bus lines. Each of the ports includes a dedicated microprocessor along with an arbitrator to resolve contention. The ports further have transmit and receive multiplexers coupled between the back plane and an associated work station or information source/sink.

Abstract: A system is shown for connecting a plurality of intelligent terminals through a central non-blocking switch to each other, to a partitioned memory and to one or more service processors to form a local area network.