Abstract: A method for verifying the identity of a new-user of a computer system, comprising the steps of receiving at least one identity attribute from the new-user; similarity searching the at least one new-user identity attribute against at least one database of denied-user identity attributes; receiving a similarity search result; determining a positive or negative match between the at least one new-user identity attribute and the denied-user identity attributes; allowing the new-user to access the computer system, where a negative match has been determined; and denying the new-user access to the computer system, where a positive match has been determined.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer-implemented system and method for transforming relational database information into a hierarchical data representation. It provides for data sharing between a relational and hierarchical data structures without requiring the data to be remodeled to fit a common format or convention. While maintaining the relational data in its original format, user may transform and associate the data with a structure compatible with another format definition. The present invention may use XML, HTML and SGML to structure a hierarchical data representation. Object-oriented formats may also be used to structure the data in an intermediary format for transformation into a hierarchical data structure.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer-implemented system and method that allows data in different databases to be shared without requiring the data to be remodeled to fit an existing data convention. The invention allows the comparison of two database structures, and facilitates the searching of information from one database to other databases, or from an external set of search criterion against a plurality of databases. The invention allows information to be exchanged from heterogeneous data sources, or database query sources without having to alter the structure of the data sources that are being searched. A number of techniques may be used to do this comparison and facilitate the cross database searching. Tree comparison methods, user defined mapping methods, the use of similarity comparisons to determine similar database structures and data are used to facilitate the cross database searching.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to similarity scoring engines. More particularly, the invention is a computer-implemented similarity scoring system and method that allows for using similarity scoring to store and maintain a unique product and retailer inventory database in a database. It enables users of a database management system to be presented with data that maintains a high level of accuracy and reliability and minimizes the occurrences of redundant data. Users of the databases may then be presented with unique instances of data rather than product and inventory data that appears to be different but are actually duplicates of data already entered into the database.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer-implemented system and method that allows data in different databases to be shared without requiring the data to be remodeled to fit an existing data convention. The invention allows the comparison of two database structures, and facilitates the searching of information from one database to other databases, or from an external set of search criterion against a plurality of databases. The invention allows information to be exchanged from heterogeneous data sources, or database query sources without having to alter the structure of the data sources that are being searched. A number of techniques may be used to do this comparison and facilitate the cross database searching. Tree comparison methods, user defined mapping methods, the use of similarity comparisons to determine similar database structures and data are used to facilitate the cross database searching.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to similarity scoring engines. More particularly, the invention is a computer-implemented similarity scoring system and method that allows for using similarity scoring to store and maintain a unique product and retailer inventory database in a database. It enables users of a database management system to be presented with data that maintains a high level of accuracy and reliability and minimizes the occurrences of redundant data. Users of the databases may then be presented with unique instances of data rather than product and inventory data that appears to be different but are actually duplicates of data already entered into the database.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer-implemented system and method for transforming relational database information into a hierarchical data representation. It provides for data sharing between a relational and hierarchical data structures without requiring the data to be remodeled to fit a common format or convention. While maintaining the relational data in its original format, user may transform and associate the data with a structure compatible with another format definition. The present invention may use XML, HTML and SGML to structure a hierarchical data representation. Object-oriented formats may also be used to structure the data in an intermediary format for transformation into a hierarchical data structure.

Abstract: A method for verifying the identity of a new-user of a computer system, comprising the steps of receiving at least one identity attribute from the new-user; similarity searching the at least one new-user identity attribute against at least one database of denied-user identity attributes; receiving a similarity search result; determining a positive or negative match between the at least one new-user identity attribute and the denied-user identity attributes; allowing the new-user to access the computer system, where a negative match has been determined; and denying the new-user access to the computer system, where a positive match has been determined.