Abstract: The approaches described herein provide an efficient way for a database server to process certain kinds of queries that require the evaluation of an aggregation function over XML data stored in an object-relational database. An aggregation function takes multiple inputs and generates a single output. A database server first determines whether the query qualifies for this particular kind of optimization, then creates a query execution plan that specifies the use of an enhanced path-based row source, eliminating the need for a second path-based row source for computing the aggregation function. The enhanced path-based row source specified in the query execution plan computes an aggregation function and stores the result of that function computation in a column of each row. The XPath evaluation results that are the individual inputs to the aggregation function are only stored temporarily until they are used to compute the aggregation function.

Abstract: Systems and methods, including user interfaces, are provided for implementing searches using contextual information associated with a Web page (or other document) that a user is viewing when a query is entered. The page includes a contextual search interface that has an associated context vector representing content of the page. When the user submits a search query via the contextual search interface, the query and the context vector are both provided to the query processor and used in responding to the query.

Abstract: A method for processing query data is described that includes receiving a query portion from a client over a network. For each of multiple search contexts, a relevance score is determined, based on the query portion. Each search context corresponds to a different set of information against which queries can be executed. Indication of the relevance scores is provided to the client over the network. Determining the relevance score and providing indication are performed prior to an input indicating a complete query or in response thereto. The method may also include associating shortcuts with search contexts, selecting a set of shortcuts based, at least in part, on the relevance scores for the search contexts and the association between the shortcuts and search contexts, and sending the set of shortcuts to the client. The shortcuts include links for accessing a content location associated with the shortcut.

Abstract: An application conforming to a set of rules is described for improving the accuracy of results provided by image search engines through identifying images as true positive hits, true negatives, false positive hits, and false negatives. The set of rules comprise: (1) causing players to associate given images with given metadata; (2) associating a player with a skill level; (3) utilizing measures of accuracy and time; (4) causing players to select a few images from a relatively large pool of images; and (5) testing player tolerance. An application that conforms to these rules tests the relevancy of images to given metadata tags. The application provides information that is the basis for adjusting the metadata associated with the tested images so as to improve the relevancy of image search results lists that include these images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating with entities outside of a secure network by intercepting and modifying messages is provided. Techniques for accomplishing the communication include inserting, retrieving, and deleting information from messages. The entities involved in the communication include, but are not limited to, users, content providers, and access providers. Furthermore, the types of information used in modifying messages include billing, location, demographic information, profile data, multimedia data, and code.

Abstract: When a signal-to-noise ratio affecting radio communication becomes sufficiently low, then the data transmission rate is responsively decreased in compensation. The signal-to-noise ratio of the communication link is thereby increased. Data for multiple different services is transmitted in data packets between two radios. By allocating one part, or time slot, of the data packet's payload to one service, and allocating another part, or time slot, of the data packet's payload to another service, communications sessions for multiple services can be maintained concurrently. Services are prioritized relative to each other. In case the signal-to-noise ratio becomes too low, data packet portions that are related to lower-priority services can be omitted from some data packets before those data packets are transmitted. Data remaining in the packet can be sent at a reduced data transmission rate without causing the quality of service for the remaining packets to fall below the minimum required level.

Abstract: A method, device, and computer readable medium for striping rows of data across logical units of storage with an affinity for columns is provided. Alternately, a method, device, and computer readable medium for striping columns of data across logical units of storage with an affinity for rows is provided. When data of a logical slice is requested, a mapping may provide information for determining which logical unit is likely to store the logical slice. In one embodiment, data is retrieved from logical units that are predicted to store the logical slice. In another embodiment, data is retrieved from several logical units, and the data not mapped to the logical unit is removed from the retrieved data.

Abstract: Techniques for restricting Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) table updates to updates originating from authorized subsystems is disclosed. According to an embodiment, an instruction to update an ARP table is received. It is determined whether a command interface from which the instruction originated is authorized. If the command interface is authorized, then the ARP table is updated based on the instruction. According to an embodiment, a DHCP Server may be configured to send an instruction to update an ARP table upon receiving a DHCP message indicating a network layer address that is not bound with a data link layer address. The DHCP Server may send the instruction over an authorized command interface, or be in other ways authorized to update the ARP table.

Abstract: The application concerns sharing content generated within a system for one or more application displays to be displayed on a first computing device of a first user. A second user is sent a message concerning sharing sharable content wherein the sharable content includes at least a portion of content from the one or more application displays that were generated for the first user. The message includes an access identifier and in response to the second user accepting the message, the system uses the access identifier to share with the second user said sharable content that was generated for the first user.

Abstract: An approach is provided for processing print data without a client print driver. A print agent is configured to discover a conversion service using Web services. A Web services-enabled print service is configured to determine whether print data received from a client is rasterized. In response to determining that the print data is not rasterized, the print service is further configured to transmit the print data to the print agent. The print agent is further configured to receive the print data from the print service and transmit the print data to the conversion service. The print agent is further configured to receive the print data as rasterized print data from the conversion service, and transmit the rasterized print data to the print service. The print service is further configured to receive the print data as rasterized print data from the print agent, and process the rasterized print data for printing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing cross-host root cause diagnosis within a complex multi-host environment. In a multi-host environment, sometimes system failures on one host may cause problems at another host within the same environment. A probabilistic model is used to represent failures that can occur within each host in the environment. The cause and effect relationships among these failures together with measurement values are used to generate a probability that each potential failure occurred in each host. When a problem is observed on one host without detecting a corresponding root cause within the same host, a cross-host failure diagnosis is performed. The probabilistic models for other hosts in the environment are used to determine the most likely cause of the failure.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing interaction with mail data on a server. Providing interaction with mail data on a server comprises receiving mail information from the server; updating data structures in a client using the mail information received; operating on the mail information at the client and displaying operation results on the client; sending operation information to the server so that the same operation may be executed on the server.

Abstract: Techniques for incrementally saving documents are provided. A document processor reads a document that is represented by a tree of nodes. The document processor, in response to an instruction to make a change to the tree, determines a set of nodes from the tree that are affected by the change. The document processor sends an instruction to transfer and store only the set of nodes without causing nodes outside of the set to be stored.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for generating quality measures for items, including web pages, based on a “random searcher” behavior model. The random searcher behavior model takes into account “implicit” links between items, instead of or in addition to the explicit links. After identifying the implicit links between items, the implicit links may be used as the basis for generating quality measures for the items to which the implicit links point. A variety of types of implicit links are described. To facilitate the generation of quality measures for items based on implicit links, a graph of the implicit links may be constructed in a manner similar to a webgraph.

Abstract: A method of provisioning modular network devices is described. A generic configuration is placed on a device; the configuration comprises commands for configuring interfaces associated the device. At the device, each interface associated with the device is configured with at least one command associated with the configuration. The device then attempts to connect with a management point through the current interface. If the current interface can connect to the management point, then an inventory of all interfaces associated with the device is self-initiated and automatically communicated by the device to the management point. In other embodiments, based on the inventory information, a configuration template containing relative interface references may be resolved into a permanent device configuration that includes absolute interface references.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for registering auto-configured network addresses includes receiving first data at a networking device connected to a host at a physical connection. The first data is received from a first server and indicates authentication information associated with the host. A first message is received at the networking device from the host. The first message requests configuration information and includes a logical network address for the host determined at least in part by the host. A second message is generated based on the first message and the first data. The second message is sent to a second server that registers the host by associating the logical network address with the first data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for hosting within a search engine, large-scale heterogeneous repositories of searchable and navigable content. Customers of the hosting platform are customers wanting to outsource the management of their searchable content. Content domain experts from each customer independently define a taxonomy of categories and attributes for their structured content that form a hierarchical set of nodes (a directed graph) that are mapped to a common physical search engine infrastructure. The mapping algorithm that maps unique attributes across potentially very different subject domains onto the same physical infrastructure is introduced. Once the physical structure is created, the search engine can use it for searching or navigating just within one customer's domain or users can search across multiple customer domains.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for managing a network entity that is initiated by the network entity, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps performed at the network entity of monitoring the network entity; periodically evaluating one or more specified conditions at the managed network entity; when one or more of the specified conditions are satisfied, then gathering specified information from the managed network entity, preparing a message that includes the specified information and the specified conditions that were satisfied, and sending the message to a management point.

Abstract: Techniques for republishing event data are provided. An event data repository contains event records defining real world events. Users request instructions for republishing event data. The request includes data identifying a set of event data and display characteristics for republication. In response to the request, event data display code is provided back to the client. The user may use the event data display code to display event data on the user's own web pages or applications. When the event data display code is processed by a web browser application, a request is sent to the events repository, which provides the identified set of event data in response. The event data is displayed to users at the web browser using the display characteristics specified by the client.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating an enhanced photo digital video disc (DVD) communicates with connected sources such as a digital camera, PC, or memory card where information such as digital photo, movie and music files are downloaded, as selected by the user, and stored on a storage device. The user creates slide shows of photos stored on the storage device that show each photo and/or movie in sequence or with transition special effects between photos. The invention extracts photo metadata from the photo image file and stores the information on the storage device along with the photos and Includes any audio annotation(s) associated with the downloaded photos and downloaded audio files that the user can attach to a photo in the slide show. When the user wants to save slide show(s) to a DVD the invention constructs an MPEG stream containing the photos, movies, and audio annotations. Photo metadata are encoded onto the DVD as closed captioning and/or subpictures, selectable for display at viewing time.