Abstract: A telecommunication management system is provided for managing hardware and software systems within a telecommunication network. The management system includes an Operator Services component, a Management Services component and an External Interfaces component. The Operator Services Component provides a user interface between one or more operators and the remainder of the system's processes. The Management Services Components provides servers which function as an interim stage of information transmittal between the operators and the external interfaces. The External Interfaces provide interfacing between network devices and the management system's operators by way of the Management Services component. The management system, for example, can efficiently manage a group of integrated receiver/decoders grouped together according to a satellite circuit.

Abstract: A remote editor system (26) is provided for remotely editing files stored on a remote Internet server (15). The remote editor system (26) includes a client (12), using a web browser (32), and the remote Internet server (15) having a mass storage device (44), for storing computer files, and a processor (42). The processor (42) is responsive to one or more of the computer files of the mass storage device (44). The processor (42) is responsive to communicate an editor input form to the client (12) and to receive an input text string from the client (12) that includes a server path input that identifies a path of the remote Internet server (15). The processor (42) is further responsive to store the server path input as a variable and to communicate a file selection form to the client (12) so that a user may a select a file to edit. The processor (42) receives a file selection input identifying the user's selection and provides the text of the selected file to the web browser (32) of the client (12) for editing.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for processing a query. The method comprises receiving a query requesting at least one specific attribute of selected ones of a plurality of objects satisfying a query criteria. The query is directed to a database containing state data for the plurality of objects. A data structure is generated in response to the query, the data structure comprising, for each object satisfying the query criteria, each specific attribute requested by the query and the identifier of the object, even if the identifier of the object was not requested as a specific attribute in the query.

Abstract: An automated system (10) is provided for identifying alternate low-cost travel arrangements. The system (10) obtains inventory information specifying the rates and/or availability of a plurality of travel arrangements, from one or more computer reservation systems. The inventory information is stored in a database (14) along with one or more portfolios of information (relating to a travel agency and each business entity customer of the travel agency) that can be used to discount the listed rates of the travel arrangements. In response to travel request information received from a customer, the system (10) automatically retrieves the inventory and/or discount information from the database (14) and determines a plurality of low-cost alternate travel arrangements that are available to the customer Consequently, a travel agent using the system (10) does not have to spend time manually identifying alternate low-cost travel arrangements.

Abstract: A method is described for storing and retrieving reports from a computer database with control of access to the database and to the reports. The reports are stored in a current database (16) for a selected period of time and are stored in a library database (18) on a permanent basis. The reports are provided in a report configuration which has data elements of the same parameter at specified locations according to the report configuration. When a report is received for storage in the database, indices are generated relating data elements of various data parameters to memory location of such data elements in the storage locations of the database. The indices can be used to retrieve portions of the report of interest. Access to the database is controlled by report type, report date, and report segment.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting uniform images in a digital video signal made up of a series of video images is disclosed. One aspect of the invention is a method for detecting uniform images. The method comprises segmenting a plurality of the video images into a number of cells, each cell comprising a number of pixels, each pixel associated with an intensity value representing the intensity of the pixel. Then, a plurality of cell contrast vectors each associated with one of the segmented video images is generated. Each element of the cell contrast vector is associated with one of the cells of the video image and comprises the standard deviation of the pixel intensity values for the pixels in that cell. A uniform image is detected for a video image in response to the cell contrast vector for that image.

Abstract: The automated improved check processing system and method includes a data entry device (200, 202) for receiving checking account information (304, 306, 308) and a check amount (302) of a check (210, 300) provided for deposit in a transaction, which are electronically transmitted and stored in a database (204). A document identifier is automatically generated and also stored with the checking account information in the database (204). Further, the depositor's account information may also be read and stored in the database. A power encoder (208, 414) is then used to match the paper checks (210, 300) with the respective electronic checking account information and check amount so that the correct check amounts can be encoded onto the face of the checks. The power encoder may also spray endorse a depositor's account information on the check to facilitate returns processing (416).

Abstract: A resource access control system and method (50) for a corporate enterprise includes a security administrator (60, 62) in communication with a plurality of users (90), each of the users (90) having an assigned role and a unique user identifier. A temporary credential token (52) is generated correlative to the assigned role of the user by the security administrator (62) as the user logs on by entering the assigned unique user identifier and indicates a desire to access a resource (56). The temporary credential token (52) is communicated to the resource (56) and any subsequent resources (56) to allow access by the user (90), and deleted as the user (90) terminates the session.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for monitoring and logging performance characteristics of a database (18). According to one aspect of the invention, a method of monitoring and logging the performance of a database (18) comprises initiating a database performance monitoring session, repeatedly obtaining selected performance data comprising at least one performance value comprising a measure of the performance of the database (18), and logging the performance data to a storage medium (20) operable to facilitate subsequent retrieval of a subset (222) of the selected performance values for analysis.

Abstract: A relocation tracking system (10) and method are provided. The relocation tracking system (10) includes a mass storage device for storing a relocation database (22) and a processor (40). Relocation database (22) includes a transferee table (44) and a shipping table (48). Relocation database (22) may include any of a variety of other tables such as an expense table (46), a shipping table (48), a home selling table (50), a home buying table (52), a tracking table (54), a non-relocation table (56), and a comment table (58). The processor (40) processes a relocation request that indicates the authorized benefits for each relocation. The processor (40) accesses and updates the transferee table (44) and the shipping table (48) of relocation database (22) in response to processing the relocation request.

Abstract: A method and system for integrating disparate information technology applications and platforms across an enterprise provides a web client interface that associates with an enterprise network. Connecting with the web client through the network is the Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server that includes a Common Gateway Interface (CGI) interface program for augmenting the integration of the disparate applications and platforms via remote and local applications execution. The HTTP server is specific to the particular enterprise for specifically dealing with application servers and information servers and further for collecting information and gathering it together into a form that is then displayed on the web client.

Abstract: A method for displaying a representation of a character on a computer display includes receiving a first primary character string comprising at least one character selected from a primary character set. The method also includes receiving a first desired location for displaying a representation of the first primary character. The method also includes generating a plurality of intermediate character strings corresponding to the first primary character string. The intermediate character strings include at least one intermediate character selected from a predefined intermediate character set. The predefined intermediate character set is defined before receiving the first primary character string and includes a plurality of intermediate characters each corresponding to a fractional portion of a primary character in the primary character set.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for maintaining persistence in a shared object system. A request is received to update a persistent record of a shared object's state wherein the persistent record of the shared object's state is contained in a database. At least one SQL statement is dynamically generated in response to the request. That statement is generated using a data structure comprising data reflecting at least a portion of the state of the shared object and a map associating attributes to the shared object with the location of those attributes in the database. An SQL statement is then sent to the database.

Abstract: An automated system and method are provided for accurately modeling spending. In the system and method, invoice information and payment information are received at an interface. A processor, coupled to the interface, automatically generates a distribution in response to the invoice information and the payment information. The generated distribution is automatically transformed by the processor. Spend information for a specified period of time is received at the interface; the spend information specifies a spending amount. The processor automatically spreads the spending amount over the transformed distribution.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for updating a database providing persistent storage for a plurality of objects each comprising methods and instance variables, wherein a persistent record of each of the plurality of objects will experience a change in the context of a transaction if the transaction is allowed to commit. The method comprises sending a first prepare message to each of the plurality of objects, the plurality of objects sending their state to the database in response to the first prepare messages. A second prepare message is sent to the database if a prepared indicator was received in response to each of the first prepare messages. A commit message is sent to each of the plurality of objects and to the database if a prepared indicator was received in response to each of the first prepare messages and if a prepared indicator was received in response to the second prepare message.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method of managing a computer system includes receiving event information at a Tivoli Enterprise Console (130), the event information associated with the computer system. The method also includes receiving a command to provide a portion of the event information to a help desk application program and automatically providing the event information in a format readable by a ServiceCenter help desk application program (230) in response to receiving a command to provide a portion of the event information to a help desk application program.

Abstract: A system (10) for analyzing a data file containing a plurality of data records with each data record containing a plurality of parameters is provided. The system (10) includes an input (40) for receiving the data file and a data processor (32) having at least one of several data processing functions. These data processing functions include, for example, a segmentation function (34) for segmenting the data records into a plurality of segments based on the parameters. The data processing functions also include a clustering function (36) for clustering the data records into a plurality of clusters containing data records having similar parameters. A prediction function (38) for predicting expected future results from the parameters in the data records may also be provided with the data processor (32).

Abstract: An automated travel planning system (10) is provided. The system (10) includes a database (12) which stores information relating to each individual traveler and business entity customer of a travel agency and also information relating to the travel agency itself. This information may include, for example, data concerning the frequent flyer/renter programs in which a traveler participates, smoking and seating preferences for a traveler, preferred travel vendors of a business entity, restrictions on fare classes (e.g., business or coach classes only) imposed by a business entity on its employees, and promotions available to a travel agency. When travel request information is received from a specific customer (individual and/or business entity) of the travel agency, the system automatically retrieves information relating to the customer from the database and also information relating to the travel agency.

Abstract: A system and method (10) of accounting and billing for data storage on a plurality of data storage devices (20) are provided. The data storage is mapped to a number of service levels, which specify varying data access and retrieval speeds. Therefore, instead of accounting and billing for data storage solely on the basis of quantity of data, it is done on the basis of data access and retrieval speeds required by each data storage application.

Abstract: Assessment tool (12) for gathering meaningful information concerning an object. The assessment tool (12) includes a plurality of statements (40) directed toward observable characteristics of the object. A frequency estimation scale (42) corresponds to each statement (40). At least one statement (40) is reverse keyed from the remaining statements (40).