Abstract: A method is disclosed for reorganizing a set of database partitions based on a ranked set of database partitions. The method includes a step to determine a fragmentation indicator for each database partition within a set of database partitions. A step ranks the set of database partitions according to a rank criteria. The rank criteria includes, at a minimum, the fragmentation indicator. A step reorganizes a subset of the database partitions in the ranked set of database partitions. The subset is selected, at least in part, by a rank order for the ranked set of database partitions. The subset may be selected such that ranked database partitions satisfying a reorganization threshold are included in the subset.

Abstract: A system and methods for extracting value from a portfolio of assets, for example a patent portfolio, are described. By granting floating privileges described herein, a portfolio owner can extend an opportunity for obtaining an interest in selected assets from the portfolio to a client who lacks the resources to accumulate and maintain such a portfolio, in return for an annuity stream to the portfolio owner. The floating privilege can take many forms, depending on the needs of the client and the nature of the assets in the portfolio. The privilege is executed for a set of assets selected by the client and approved by the portfolio owner in accordance with a floating privilege agreement controlling the floating privilege.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and computer readable medium for viewing hidden windows on a display including a plurality of application windows, a portion of at least one application window of the plurality of application windows being obscured. The method, system, and computer readable medium comprise creating a viewport displayed as a topmost application window in response to a user interaction and displaying at least a portion of the at least one application window being obscured in the viewport. Through the use of the present invention a user can simultaneously view information from multiple applications where one or more application windows are partially or wholly covering needed information in an underlying application window. Furthermore, the user will also be able to view application windows that are not directly underneath the primary application window, but are in an inactive state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for listing network search results. The network has a plurality of sites. Each site has a plurality of pages. The method and system comprise searching the network based on a search term and saving original results from the search and modifying the results of the search wherein at least one of the plurality of pages of a site containing the search term is excluded from reference in the search results and a reference to the home page of the site is included in the search results. Through the use of a method and system in accordance with the present invention, the number of result hits listed on the results list produced by a web search engine will be dramatically reduced. Tens or hundreds of result pages are potentially eliminated. A user will also be able to quickly locate web pages, within each of the individually listed web sites, that contain the search term(s).

Abstract: A method and system for displaying the results of a search is disclosed. The method and system include the steps of displaying a first set of text in a first document in a first window, the first window being associated with an activated application program. The method and system further include initiating a first search within the first document based upon a first user interaction with the application program and displaying the results of the first search in a second window, where the first window continues to display the first set of text in the first document. Through the use of a system and method in accordance with the present invention, a user can view one or more portions of a document containing specified search strings while continuing to view the first window where reading and/or editing is occurring. Furthermore, the user can create, move, or resize second window by commonly known mouse operations.

Abstract: A method and system of displaying graphical images in a computer graphics system is disclosed. In a display of a graphical image including a plurality of graphic layers, the method and system comprise creating a layer viewport in response to a user interaction, associating at, least one of the plurality of graphic layers with the layer viewport and displaying a modified view of the at least one graphical image within the viewport by excluding one or more layers which are not associated with the viewport from view within the viewport. Through the use of a system and method in accordance with the present invention, a user can achieve the desired view of a graphical image or portion thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically inputting user data into Internet based electronic forms includes creating an autofill profile at a user computer. The autofill profile includes user information and is stored at the user computer. When electronic forms are encountered on the Internet, information from the autofill profile is used to automatically fill the input fields of the electronic form. The autofill profile is automatically updated with new user information each time an electronic form is submitted to a server, if the form includes new information manually input by the user.

Abstract: A method for storing Internet advertisements at a user computer includes receiving plural Internet advertisements at the user computer. Some of the advertisements are tagged using a hypertext markup language (html) tag. An Internet browser within the computer determines which received advertisements are tagged and saves them within the computer. The saved advertisements are then displayed for a user to review later, e.g., in response to a button being toggled.

Abstract: A system and method for selectively displaying Internet advertisements includes allowing a user to establish the values of user definable attributes. Internet advertisements are then transmitted to the user computer based on the user definable attributes. Also, user selectable advertisement channels are provided. A user can, accordingly, select an advertisement channel and only advertisements corresponding to that channel are displayed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for listing network search results. The network has a plurality of sites. Each site has a plurality of pages. The method and system comprise searching the network based on a search term and saving original results from the search and modifying the results of the search wherein at least one of the plurality of pages of a site containing the search term is excluded from reference in the search results and a reference to the home page of the site is included in the search results. Through the use of a method and system in accordance with the present invention, the number of result hits listed on the results list produced by a web search engine will be dramatically reduced. Tens or hundreds of result pages are potentially eliminated. A user will also be able to quickly locate web pages, within each of the individually listed web sites, that contain the search term(s).

Abstract: A method and system for a user to edit or view a graphical image, the graphical image comprising a plurality of graphic objects, is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a view of a graphical image and creating an object building viewport based upon a first user interaction wherein the view of the graphical image at least partially within the viewport is displayed. The method further comprises the step of excluding graphic objects from the viewport based upon a second user interaction to create a simplified view of the graphical image. Through the use of a system and method in accordance with the present invention, a user can achieve an ideal view of a specific graphical image or portion thereof for the purpose of examination or accomplishing various editing tasks. This ideal view facilitates graphic object visualization, selection and modification, unencumbered by the distortion or obfuscation created by the display of graphic objects unnecessary to the operation at hand.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for viewing the contents of an application window that would otherwise be hidden. The method and system comprise displaying a plurality of application windows. The first application window of the plurality of application windows is the primary application window and a portion of another application window is being obscured by the primary application window. The method and system displays the primary application window at a variable degree of transparency based upon a user interaction. Through the use of the present invention a user can simultaneously view information from multiple applications where one or more windows are partially or wholly covering needed information in an underlying application. This will provide the user with the ability to quickly access needed information without having to undergo the time consuming process of resizing or rearranging desktop window configurations.