Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Ingrid M. Foerster
  • Patent number: 7089239
    Abstract: A web-based system, method and program product are provided for adding content to a content object stored (e.g., a custom compilation or prepublished work) in a data repository as a group of hierarchically related content entities. Each noncontainer content object is preferably stored as a separate entity in the data repository. Each content entity is also stored as a row in a digital library index class as a collection of attributes and references to related content entities and containers. As the user selects desired objects for inclusion in a content object, the system arranges the objects hierarchically, e.g., into volumes, chapters and sections according to the order specified by the user. The system then creates a file object (e.g., a CBO) defining the content object that contains a list or outline of the container and noncontainer entities selected, their identifiers, order and structure. This file object is stored separately in the data repository.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Pearson Eduction, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Baer, James A. Barker, Edward Hanapole, Robert C. Hartman, Jr., Richard D. Hennessy, Eugene Johnson, Jr., I-Ming Kao, Janet L. Murray, Jerry D. Robertson, III, Richard W. Walkus
  • Patent number: 7043488
    Abstract: A web-based system, method and program product are provided for storing content objects (e.g., a custom compilation or prepublished work) in a data repository as a group of hierarchically related content entities. Each noncontainer content object is preferably stored as a separate entity in the data repository. Each content entity is also stored as a row in a digital library index class as a collection of attributes and references to related content entities and containers. As content objects are input to the system or as a user selects desired objects for inclusion in a content object, the system arranges the content objects hierarchically, e.g., into volumes, chapters and sections according to the order specified by the input content object or by the user. The system then creates a file object (e.g., a CBO) defining the content object that contains a list or outline of the container and noncontainer entities selected, their identifiers, order and structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Pearson Education, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Baer, James A. Barker, Robert C. Hartman, Jr., I-Ming Kao, Janet L. Murray, Jerry D. Robertson, III, Richard W. Walkus
  • Patent number: 7007034
    Abstract: A data structure and method are provided for storing a content object stored (e.g., a custom compilation or prepublished work) as a group of hierarchically related content entities Each content entity is contained in a separate file object. An attribute file object corresponding to each content entity file object contains attributes pertaining to that entity. A list or outline containing container and noncontainer identifiers defines the content, order and structure of the content object. This list or outline is stored as a separate file object (e.g., a CBO or the PSF file of a prepublished work).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Pearson Education, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Hartman, Jr., Edward Hanapole, Richard W. Walkus
  • Patent number: 6792418
    Abstract: Database system (10) which comprises a fractal hierarchical index database (13), and a processing unit (19). The processing unit (19) is employed to evaluate an input string (12) describing an element (E1) that is to be added to the database system (10) in order to obtain an input network (18) comprising a semantical unit (SU1) representing the element (E1). Then the processing unit (19) updates the index database (13). Finally, either an existing access pointer (22) is maintained, or a new access pointer (22) is created between the element (E1) and the semantical unit (SU1) representing the element (E1) thereby rendering the element (E1) in the database system (10) accessible or retrievable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gerd K. Binnig, Peter Bloechl, Juergen Klenk
  • Patent number: 6622167
    Abstract: An intranet server, memory medium and process for handling requests for resources from a downstream intranet server or a user. The intranet server is configured by a data shadowing program to locally store resources that have a high usage frequency. If a resource has not been requested for a predetermined time out period, it is deleted from local memory. Resources stored in local memory are served in response to requests for them, thus avoiding the service of such resources over the internet each time they are requested. An inquiry procedure handles status requests for new versions in either an active or a passive mode. In the active mode, the intranet server that directly interfaces with the internet periodically checks the status and receives updated versions of resources stored in its local memory. The resources stored in local memory are then served upon request from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James Louis Keesey, Gerald Johann Wilmot
  • Patent number: 6611840
    Abstract: A web-based system, method and program product are provided for adding content to a content object stored (e.g., a custom compilation or prepublished work) in a data repository as a group of hierarchically related content entities. Each noncontainer content object is preferably stored as a separate entity in the data repository. Each content entity is also stored as a row in a digital library index class as a collection of attributes and references to related content entities and containers. As the user selects desired objects for inclusion in a content object, the system arranges the objects hierarchically, e.g., into volumes, chapters and sections according to the order specified by the user. The system then creates a file object (e.g., a CBO) defining the content object that contains a list or outline of the container and noncontainer entities selected, their identifiers, order and structure. This file object is stored separately in the data repository.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Pearson Education, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Baer, Edward Hanapole, Robert C. Hartman, Jr., Richard D. Hennessy, Eugene Johnson, Jr., I-Ming Kao, Janet L. Murray, Jerry D. Robertson, III, Richard W. Walkus
  • Patent number: 6600840
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for transforming image data from a present format to a requested format. A request for the image data is received wherein the request includes a requested format, the requested format includes a first plurality of parameters. A present format for the image data is determined in response to receiving a request for the image data, wherein the present format includes a second plurality of parameters describing the image data. The first plurality of parameters within the requested format is compared to the second plurality of parameters within the present format describing the image data, wherein each parameter within the first plurality of parameters corresponds to a parameter within the second plurality of parameters. Parameters from the first and second plurality of parameters are identified, wherein a match between a parameter within the first plurality of parameters and a corresponding parameter within the second plurality of parameters is absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: James M. McCrossin, Charles Vincent Rossi, Carol H. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6526403
    Abstract: A method, computer product, and system for rewriting database without decreasing pushdownability is provided. First, a pushdown analysis of the query in its entirety is performed prior to the application of any query rewrite rules in order to establish a baseline on pushdownability for the query. The results of this analysis is stored with the internal query representation. After each rule is applied to rewrite a portion of a query, that rewritten portion is analyzed again for pushdownability. If pushdownability is not decreased, then the rewritten query remains and the internal representation of the query is updated to reflect the pushdownability of that portion. If pushdownability is decreased, then an undo operation is applied to the rewritten portion of the query to back out the effects of the rule and leave the query in the same state as before the rewrite. Finally, additional rewrite rules that are directed to the heterogeneous database environment are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eileen Tien Lin, Tina Louise Mukai, Shivakumar Venkataraman, Tian Zhang
  • Patent number: 6421657
    Abstract: A method and system for calculating the lowest cost join permutation for queries which involve multiple database tables is disclosed. A method and system comprises building all initial table composites and determining the cost of building each member of the set of composites one table at a time. The method and system includes comparing the cost of building each member of the composites to a threshold value and skipping any member of the set of composites that has a value greater than the threshold value. The method and system includes calculating the cost of building all possible members of the next successively larger set of composites which can be built from members which do not exceed the threshold value and saving the lowest cost means for building each member of the next successively larger composites. The method and system includes determining if a final composite has been built and stepping to the next composites if the final composite has not been built.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Sinnott, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6405198
    Abstract: In a database processing system with a partitioned database that provides relational extenders to support storage of and access to complex data types, metadata table rows are collocated with corresponding relational table partitions. Image indexes are generated and stored at system nodes with their corresponding relational table partitions. Image query processing is conditioned to account for the partitioned structure of the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Georges Bitar, Jean Chen Ho, Jing-Song Jang, Erik Allan Kane, James Louis Keesey, Angela Go Reyda, Gerald Johann Wilmot
  • Patent number: 6401059
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for controlling a device. The system includes a personal digital assistant with a computer program for receiving a program information from a source and selecting a program based upon the program information; and an emulator for sending a signal to a device based upon the selected program. The personal digital assistant receives the program information from a source and selects a program based upon the program information. In the preferred embodiment, the device includes a television and a video cassette recorder. With the method and system of the present invention, a user can place into use the program schedule information in the personal digital assistant without the need for a separate remote control. This simplifies the use of the program schedule information in the personal digital assistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: HongHai Shen, Josephine Miu Cheng
  • Patent number: 6397125
    Abstract: A method of performing design synchronization in a computer system is described. At least a portion of a source schema and at least a portion of a target schema are compared. The target schema is modified based on the differences therebetween. In a preferred fashion, design changes are made at the target with target-specific syntax and the minimum number of equivalent operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert David Goldring, Scott K. Chan
  • Patent number: 6393442
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for converting a source document into a plurality of documents, each of the plurality of documents having one of a plurality of formats. The method and system comprise providing a document type definition for formatting the source document. The method and system further comprise providing a transform to convert the source document into the plurality of documents. At least one of the plurality of documents has a binary code format. The method and system enable production of the plurality of documents, each representing a version of the source document, such that the versions are consistent with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Valerie Christensen Cromarty, Joni Lee Gordon
  • Patent number: 6339771
    Abstract: A system and method for processing a request utilizing a database management system in a computer system is disclosed. The database management system manages at least one database. At least one database subsystem corresponding to the database management system is available. The computer system includes a plurality of worker threads. The method and system include assigning the request to a worker thread of the plurality of worker threads. The worker thread is for aiding in execution of the request. The method and system also include providing a connection to a particular database subsystem for the worker thread and associating the connection with the worker thread if the worker thread has not previously used the particular database subsystem. The method and system further include reusing the connection to the particular database subsystem that is associated with the worker thread if the worker thread has previously used the particular database subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Richard Zimowski, Jeffrey David Aman, Steven J. Greenspan, Patrick Michael LiVecchi
  • Patent number: 6339777
    Abstract: A method and system for handling foreign key database updates. The database includes one or more tables where each table includes at least one row and a primary key or foreign key. The method and system include evaluating a list of row operations for foreign key relationships. After evaluating the foreign key relationships, the tables determined to have acyclic foreign key relationships are grouped into a first set of tables and the tables determined to have cyclic foreign key relationships are grouped into a second set of tables. The method and system further include ordering the first set of tables into a list based on the foreign key relationships among the set of tables, such that a parent table will be processed before a child table. The row operations are then applied to each table in the list in the specified order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gopi Krishna Attaluri, David Joseph Wisneski
  • Patent number: 6285994
    Abstract: Method and system aspects for efficiently searching an encoded vector index are provided. The aspects include the translation of a search query into a candidate bitmap, and the mapping of data from the candidate bitmap into a search result bitmap according to entry values in the encoded vector index. Further, the translation includes the setting of a bit in the candidate bitmap for each entry in a symbol table that corresponds to candidate of the search query. Also included in the mapping is the identification of a bit value in the candidate bitmap pointed to by an entry in an encoded vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thuan Quang Bui, Randy Lynn Egan, Kevin James Kathmann
  • Patent number: 6285997
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer-implemented technique for query optimization with deferred updates and autonomous sources. An object-oriented query is executed to retrieve data from a database. The database is stored on a data storage device connected to a computer. The object-oriented query is transformed into subqueries, wherein at least one subquery is directed against a database, and wherein one subquery is directed against an object cache. Each subquery that is directed against a database is executed to retrieve data from the database into the object cache. The subquery that is directed against the object cache is executed to retrieve data for the query, wherein the data incorporates updates to the object cache and updates to the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael James Carey, Gerald George Kiernan
  • Patent number: 6282541
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for a computer implemented groupby aggregation system. Groupby aggregation is performed when a statement is executed in a database stored on a data storage device, which is connected to a computer. Initially, data elements are input into a tournament tree from an input sequence. Then, a winner of a tournament in the tournament tree is identified. The winner is recycled into the tournament tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Hoa, Balakrishna Raghavendra Iyer, Beth Rivenes Moore, Bryan Frederick Smith
  • Patent number: 6275832
    Abstract: A technique for undoing a transaction that changes data in a database. In accordance with the present invention, the database contains at least one data unit. The database is stored in a data storage device connected to a computer. A lock, transaction identifier, transaction operation indicator, and data unit, are associated with the transaction. The invention undoes the transaction using the associated lock, transaction identifier, transaction operation indicator, and data unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Julie Ann Watts, Steven John Watts
  • Patent number: RE37965
    Abstract: A method for localizing execution of subqueries and determining collocation of execution of subqueries in a shared-nothing database. The concept of compatible partitioning is used to localize database operations in order to eliminate excess processes and communication, and thereby improve response time and throughput for the database management system. The method reduces the number of process by reducing the number of nodes involved in processing a query and by combining multiple processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anant D. Jhingran, Lubor J. Kollar, Timothy R. Malkemus, Sriram K. Padmanabhan