Abstract: A data retrieval method and apparatus in a distributed database system. Data is retrieved from a distributed database quickly with a minimum load on each terminal. A contents file is provided in each terminal, and a link file is provided in a center system to coordinate access to the distributed data in each terminal.

Abstract: A system for distributing processing between terminals (T.sub.1 .about.T.sub.n) connected via a communication network (30). Each terminal (T.sub.i) is provided with at least one method group (32) and a memory unit (34) to store data files. An originating terminal, e.g., terminal (T.sub.1) accesses data elsewhere in the distributed system by generating a message. The message includes a terminal code identifying an object to access a terminal (T.sub.2) to execute an object, a method code identifying a method for accessing the data and a command name containing or identifying the desired data. The terminal, e.g., terminal (T.sub.2), containing the desired data, decodes the message and accesses a data file in the memory unit (34) containing the desired data identified by the command name. The message may also include a selector and reset conditions which control the sequence of data processing in the terminals (T.sub.0 and T.sub.n) so that the processing of the originating (T.sub.1) and data accessing (T.sub.

Abstract: In a network control system connecting terminal units providing at least a chat function to make communication with the other terminal units on a real time basis while connecting the keyboard and executing mutual communication between the terminal units, the terminal unit which becomes the transmitting side describes the mode corresponding to the function to be executed and sets a communication code corresponding to such mode within a communication command to be transmitted. The transmitting terminal indexes a connection timing table and also connects or disconnects the line for communication to the distant terminal unit on the basis of contents of the connection timing table in order obtain cost-effective application of the communication network.

Abstract: An automatic support tool generating system includes a knowledge acquisition tool for acquiring knowledge from answers received in response to questions generated by the knowledge acquisition tool, and a database for storing the knowledge acquired by the knowledge acquisition tool as data and for forming a knowledge data group, where the knowledge acquisition tool acquires, based on attribute data which are obtained as the answers, a design support knowledge data group used for generating a design support tool which is necessary to make a desired design.

Abstract: In a computer system, a device which takes the real area as the objects (1-1, . . . ) and selects dynamically the real data (11) as the actors (2-1, . . . ) and the method (42) for processing such actors, is provided, objects (1-1 . . . ) are formed by capsulating the instance including real data (11) as the parts and the method (42) and thereby data processing is carried out mainly with the actors (2-2 . . . ), namely the real data. In view of dynamically forming an object (1-2) capsulating the real data (instance) (11) and the method (42), a part called the object sensor which indicates the real data (11) given the meaning by the command is prepared, the command is sent and received in the data processing means by the object modeling the real area, and thereby new type and practical object-oriented data processing just suitable for processing of multi-media data, distributed processing of data base and processing of network system can be realized.

Abstract: A database system includes a communication network, and a plurality of nodes. Each node includes a data storage device, a management part managing a status of the data stored in the data storage device, and a data storage request part for generating an alternative data storage device assignment request for requesting at least one of other nodes among the plurality of nodes to store data in the data storage device of the other node via the communication network when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A distributed data base system is formed by terminal units connected in a public network or a private network. Each terminal unit stores respectively the real data and a temporary center for storing the one or a plurality of control information among various pieces of control information, such as contents corresponding to each real data, keyword or command assigned to data. Moreover, check information set up for acquiring security is provided as the one of the terminal unit. A terminal unit utilizing data obtains identification information of terminal units storing relevant real data by inputting contents, commands or keywords by accessing the center and reading or extracting the necessary real data through the network from a terminal unit having real data based on such identification information but is capable of restricting users (terminal units) which are allowed to read the open data in accordance with the degree of importance of the data.