Abstract: A primary computer system has a database, application programs that modify the local database, and a transaction manager that stores audit records in a local image trail reflecting those application program modifications to the local database. In a remote backup system, a Receiver process receives audit records from the primary system. The audit records include audit update and audit backout records indicating database updates and database backouts generated by transactions executing on the primary system. The Receiver stores the audit update and audit backout records in one or more image trails. For each image trail there is an Updater process that applies to a backup database volume the database updates and backouts indicated by the audit update and audit backout records in the image trail. The remote backup system periodically executes a file purge procedure, which identifies the oldest transaction table from among the transaction tables in the last image trail file accessed for each of the image trails.

Abstract: A computer system has a program module verifier and at least first and second program modules. Each program module includes a digital signature and an executable procedure. The first program module furthermore includes a procedure call to the second procedure module, a procedure call to the program module verifier that is logically positioned in the first program module so as to be executed prior to execution of the procedure call to the second program module, and instructions preventing execution of the procedure call to the second program module when the procedure call to the program module verifier results in a verification denial being returned by the program module verifier.

Abstract: A conductivity measurement system provides one or more DC pulses to first and second electrodes submerged in an aqueous solution such as, for instance, the wash water of an industrial dishwasher. The voltage at the first electrode is measured at a sequence of at least three predetermined times after initiation of one of the DC pulse. A non-linear curve fitting function is applied to the sequence of at least three voltage measurements to calculate the voltage at the first electrode at the beginning of the DC pulse(s), commonly denoted as being at time t=0. The resulting calculated voltage at time t=0 is then used to calculate the conductivity of the solution, and/or to control operation of the a chemical dispenser, and/or to perform another predetermined system analysis or system control function.

Abstract: A load test board is configured for plugging into a backplane of a chassis. The load test board has a CPU, a variable load controlled by the CPU, a voltage sensor to detect voltage across the variable load, and a current sensor to detect current through the variable load. To test the chassis, one or more of the load text boards are plugged into the backplane of the chassis. Each load test board provides a variable load, using circuitry on the test board to control the variable load, and measures current through the variable load and voltage across the variable load. Information corresponding to the measurements is conveyed to a host computer.

Abstract: A method of tuning transmission line impedance includes the step of determining a desired impedance for a transmission line. A capacitive stub is periodically added to the transmission line. A physical quantity to be removed from each of the capacitive stubs to achieve the desired impedance is identified. The identified physical quantity is then removed to establish the desired transmission line impedance. A method of forming an impedance bridge includes the step of affixing a set of capacitive stubs to a bridging transmission line that has a first end and a second end. The vertical height of the set of capacitive stubs is tapered from the first end to the second end to form an increasingly high impedance between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A database management system is extended to process SQL statements so as to skip over rows that are locked in conflicting modes. Normally, a table access operator is blocked when it attempts to access a row that is locked in a conflicting mode, such as a write lock mode, that is inconsistent with the read or write access required by the operator. Generally, the lock in the conflicting mode will be held by a transaction other than the transaction associated with the operator in question. When the SQL statement being executed uses the “skip conflict” syntax provided by the present invention, the operator skips over rows that are locked in conflicting modes, which would otherwise cause the operator to suspend operation. Furthermore, if the operator is operating in streaming mode, a key that identifies such skipped rows is added to the operator's list of rows to be processed at a later time.

Abstract: A web crawler stores fixed length representations of document addresses in first and second caches and a disk file. When the web crawler downloads a document from a host computer, it identifies URL's (document addresses) in the downloaded document. Each identified URL is converted into a fixed size numerical representation. The numerical representation is systematically compared to numerical representations in the caches and disk file. If the representation is not found in the caches and disk file, the document corresponding to the representation is scheduled for downloading, and the representation is stored in the second cache. If the representation is not found in the caches but is found in the disk file, the representation is added to the first cache. When the second cache is full, it is merged with the disk file and the second cache is reset to an initial state. When the first cache is full, one or more representations are evicted in accordance with an eviction policy.

Abstract: A database query compiler and compilation method has special facilities for compiling a query that includes an Offset sequence function, Offset(argument, index). During execution of the query, while the cursor for a table is pointing to a current row, the Offset function is used to access information from a previously accessed row. The argument of the Offset sequence function is a specified function of information associated with the previously accessed row of the table. The previously accessed row has a position that is index rows before the current row referenced by the cursor for the table. During compilation, the argument of the Offset sequence function is parsed to determine a set of auxiliary fields for each row of the table. Each auxiliary field of a row contains information that may be accessed during execution of the Offset sequence function while the cursor for that table is pointing to a subsequent row.

Abstract: An improved method for accurately and correctly encoding and printing complete checks on blank paper sheets from graphic check images. The method includes inputting into a computer a graphic image of a check. Scanning the graphic image, in computer memory, and identifying the MICR character codes with their locations. Printing said MICR codes with magnetic ink in MICR fonts in a designated “clear band”. Reformatting the scanned graphic image with the MICR images deleted and printing the reformatted graphic image above the “clear band” to provide a negotiable check instrument.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a fully automated electronic bill processing capability that is integrated with banking institutions and their customers is herein disclosed. The electronic bill payment system includes a community of payors, payees, payor banks, and payee banks that are associated with computing systems-that are interconnected by a computer network. A payor bank receives electronic bills specifying payment requests from one or more payors having an account at the payor bank. The payor bank places a hold on the funds in the payor's account and then generates an electronic check that is transmitted to the payee. The payee receives an electronic check envelope that contains a number of electronic checks that are encrypted and digitally signed by the payor bank. The payee generates an electronic deposit including one or more endorsed electronic checks and a deposit slip. The electronic deposit is encrypted and digitally signed by the payee.

Abstract: Elements on a network are selectively unmanaged by a network manager. An element is not managed when it is placed in a Pending state. Traps and events from the element in the Pending state are handled but not processed. The element can be automatically placed in the Pending state if a trap or event has been generated by that element.