Abstract: A system for h household grocery management is provided. The system includes a bar code scanner (22) operable to scan a bar code on a grocery item and to provide bar code data obtained thereby. The system also includes a computer system (20) coupled to receive the bar code data provided by the bar code scanner (22). The computer system (20) has a fixed data storage storing a grocery inventory (26) and a processor executing a grocery management application (24). The grocery management application (24) operates to process the bar code data to identify a scanned grocery item, to maintain the grocery inventory (26), and to generate a replenishment list (32) of grocery items based upon differences between current grocery inventory (26) and defined full levels for the household (10).

Abstract: An interactive knowledgebase (48) system is provided. The system comprises a server (14) and a client (12). The server (14) is operable to retrieve a plurality of informational pages with each informational page containing items and links to items. The server (14) is further operable to maintain a directory (172) of the items organized by category. The client (12) is coupled to the server (14) and operable to display the directory (172) in a first frame of a web browser (32). The client (12) is further operable to request information pages from the server (14) and display the information pages in a second frame of the web browser (32). A user at the client (12) can participate in an exchange of items and comments regarding items with other users of the interactive knowledgebase (48).

Abstract: Message files preferably comprising MPEG video messages are provided to transaction terminals for display of non-transaction messages to users during a terminal transaction. The messages are selected and displayed upon transaction approval. Operation of the terminal in accordance with transaction approval, i.e., to dispense cash or print a record, is initiated during the interval when the selected message is displayed.

Abstract: A system (8) for testing an application program (20) includes a normal operating environment (12) within which the application program (20) is intended to execute when not being tested. A shared database (18) stores the application program (20) and provides a plurality of users (16) with access to the application program (20). A testing service (10) coupled to the normal operating environment (12) and the shared database (18) supports a base copy (22) of the normal operating environment (12) that simulates and is coupled to the normal operating environment (12). The testing service (10) also supports a first modified version (24) of the normal operating environment (12) that is isolated from the normal operating environment (12) and differs from the base copy (22) with respect to a first testing variable.

Abstract: A secure data storage system (28) may comprise a secured data file (40), a secured system file (44), and a data file application (42). The secured data file (40) may have a verification system (48) operable to allow access to the secured data file (40) only upon receipt of a unique identifier (84, 90) matching a stored, unique identifier (50). The data file application (42) may be operable to communicate the unique identifier (84, 90) to the secured data file (40) to access the data file (40) in a secured session. The secured system file (44) may be linked to the data file application (42) to establish access privileges during the secured session.

Abstract: Interface object classes providing a template class (402) for list boxes (500) and a template class (410) for combo boxes (506) which encapsulates a linkage mechanism to associate the items listed in the list box and combo box to objects (614) in a business object (612). When an item is selected in a list box or combo box, the object associated with the selected item is referenced automatically without explicit coding.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting dissolve transitions in a digital video signal made up of a series of video images is disclosed. In accordance with the method of the invention, a plurality of the video images are segmented into a number of cells wherein each cell comprises a number of pixels each having a pixel intensity value representing the intensity of the pixel. 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 and comprises the standard deviation of the pixel intensity values for the pixels in that cell. A dissolve is detected for a video image in response to the cell contrast vector for that image.

Abstract: A system and a method for locating and deleting computer files stored in a directory structure in a mass storage device. The method includes the steps of receiving an input and establishing a starting directory and a file search specification. The method further includes storing directory names corresponding to all directories of the directory structure in a directory array and storing file names corresponding to all files of the directory structure that meet the file search specification in a file delete array. Finally, the method includes deleting the files associated with the file names stored in the file delete array. The system may be configured by a computer readable memory to perform the method.

Abstract: A method of modeling an enterprise so that its policy changes as well as its current components and operations are represented in a database (11), and a method of using a computer to query the database. The enterprise is modeled using classes of objects and associated methods. During operation, a query about data in the database (11) is received from a user, with the query calling for the use of at least one method to answer the query. The database (11) is accessed to determine whether the method is affected by a policy change, where different policies are represented by policy objects. If so, the user is provided with policy choices. A policy selection is received, and the query is answered, using an implementation of the method based on the policy selection (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A process and system for predictive resource planning to allow a service provider to meet a customer's predicted technical resource requirements. The process involves determining (11) a service provider's technology baseline, determining (12) a customer's technology direction, and storing the data representing the technology baseline and the technology direction in a data base repository. Based on the technology direction of the customer, the customer's technical resource requirements are predicted (13) and stored in the data base repository. The service provider then documents (14) the skill levels of its candidate employees and selects (15) candidates to meet the predicted technical resource requirements.

Abstract: A knowledge worker productivity assessment system (10) includes a database (12, 14, 16) containing survey data (15) generated using a knowledge worker productivity assessment framework (2). A benchmark database (18) contains benchmark values. A retriever (20) is coupled to the databases (12, 14, 16, 18) to retrieve selected survey data (15) and benchmark values. A calculator (38) is coupled to the retriever (20) and generates a comparison value (39) using the selected survey data (15). A relator (40) compares the comparison value (39) to a selected benchmark value to generate a knowledge worker productivity assessment.

Abstract: An object oriented system for accessing an external relational database from within the object oriented system. The system creates an object and fills it with data values retrieved from the database. References from the object to other objects include pointers to preexisting objects or pointers to placeholder objects. Later retrieves fill in the placeholder objects, eliminating the need to reset the pointers. Caching, utilizing static data and static functions, is performed by each class of objects. Sub-objects are used to create different logical views of data from the database, and query access to the database is provided by a query engine which builds query language statements on demand.

Abstract: An abstract manager system (12) and method for managing an abstract database (40) are provided. The abstract manager system (12) may be implemented using a computer that includes a mass storage device (44) and a processor (34). The processor (34) is responsive to one or more computer files stored in the mass storage device (44) such as an abstract manager program (32). The processor (34) is responsive to generate an abstract manager input form (96) and to receive input abstract information in the abstract manager input form (96). The processor (34) is also responsive to generate a record in an abstract database (40) that includes the input abstract information and to generate a file, such as an abstract file of abstract files (42), that includes the input abstract information.

Abstract: A remote command execution system (26) is provided for remotely executing commands at a computer. The remote command execution system (26) includes a client (12) using a web browser (32) and a 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 a command input form to the web browser (32) of the client (12) and to receive an input from the client (12) that includes a command to be executed by the remote Internet server (15). The processor (42) is further responsive to process the input, execute the command, and generate an output including the results of executing the command. The remote Internet server (15) then provides the output to the web browser (32) of the client (12) for displaying.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a system (10) for confirming authorization for the allocation of an item of business property is coupled to a business database (44) containing business data for the item. A translate module (30) receives allocation data (14) for the item and generates query data that represents a first portion of the allocation data (14). A query module (32) coupled to the translate module (30) generates a query using the query data for submission to the business database (44). A transaction database (34) coupled to the translate module (30) and the query module (32) stores at least a portion of the allocation data (14) and a query response received from the business database (44). A confirm module (100) accesses the query response and the stored allocation data (14) to confirm authorization for the allocation.

Abstract: An automated system (30) is provided for managing work in a computing application. The system (30) includes an interface (32, 38) which can receive inventory information (11) for the computing application. The interface (32, 38) also may receive a work order configuration. A memory (36), which is coupled to the interface (32, 38), stores the inventory information (11). A processor (40) is coupled to the memory (36) and the interface (32, 38). The processor (40) automatically generates a work order (28) in response to the work order configuration, such work order (28) specifying at least a portion of the inventory information (11). The processor (40) tracks the work order (28) as actions are taken pursuant to the work order (28), thereby managing work in the computing application.

Abstract: A system (10) is provided for associating a physical application (22) to a business operation. The system (10) includes a first database (30, 34, 38, 42) operable to store information relating to at least one physical application (22). An interface (46) receives information relating to at least one business requirement (24) of the business operation. A relator (48), which is coupled to the first database (30, 34, 38, 42) and the interface (46), generates linking information (52) to associate the business requirement (24) to the physical application (22). A second database (50) is coupled to the relator (48). The second database (50) stores the business requirement information and the corresponding linking information (52) to associate the physical application (22) to the business operation.

Abstract: A security system includes a base station that reads a first tag and a second tag, each tag associated with items, persons, and/or containers. Upon reading the tags, the base station determines whether the removal of the items, persons, and/or containers is authorized. If the removal is not authorized, the base station may activate an alarm, lock the exit, and/or generate a message for delivery to a remote site. The security system may also be integrated with an inventory control system to monitor the location and status of the items, persons, and/or containers.

Abstract: A method for securely accessing information from disparate data sources through a network is provided. The method includes requesting a logon menu from a network server using a client and receiving a logon menu. The method further includes communicating a logon input to the network server which then communicates the logon input to a database server. Next, the method includes verifying the logon input at the database server and generating and storing a unique session identification number at the database server in response. The method continues by communicating the session identification number and a portion of the logon input to the client and storing, and communicating a menu to the client prompting the user to perform at least a first function requiring access to a first type of disparate data source.

Abstract: A data storage system (12) may include a plurality of source systems (14) and a common database server (16). Each source system (14) may include a source database (20), an extraction engine (24) and a transformation engine(26). At least two of the source systems (14) may have source databases (20) that store data in disparate formats and file structures. The extraction engine (24) may extract data from the source database (20). The transformation engine (26) may transform data extracted from the source database (20) into a common format and file structure. The common database server (16) may include a common database (32), a common database controller (34) and a load engine (48). The common database controller (34) may receive data transformed by the transformation engine (26). The load engine (48) may load the data received by the common database controller (34) into the common database (32).