Abstract: A system and method of squeezing slabs of memory empty are provided. A slab is a block of allocated memory space that is dedicated to holding one type of data. When it is determined that a slab of memory is to be squeezed empty, no object may be allocated from the slab. That is, new data is precluded from being placed in any unused space of the slab. Further, data is also precluded from being placed in any space in the slab that becomes unused anytime thereafter. When the slab becomes empty, the slab is de-allocated.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, or computer program product facilitates trustworthy electronic commerce by providing an inspection-service-based release of an escrowed payment for a transaction involving physical goods. An inspection service stands as an independent party at the onset of the transfer of goods between the buyer and the seller. In an attempt to reduce fraudulent behavior by the buyer or the seller, an inspection service inspects the goods, preferably at the point of shipment. A description of the goods has been previously stored in a transaction record that has been previously created within an escrow service. The inspection service may electronically retrieve the description of the goods from the escrow service. The inspection service then determines whether the description of the goods is acceptably similar to the actual condition or type of the goods and generates a certification if they are acceptable similar.

Abstract: A method for verifying control accesses between a device on a non-proprietary bus and a device on a proprietary bus is disclosed. A gateway controller is connected between a proprietary bus and a non-proprietary bus. A determination is made as to whether or not a non-proprietary device is registered to more than one gateway controller. In response to a determination that the non-proprietary device is registered to more than one gateway controller, another determination is made as to whether or not the non-proprietary device is a portable device. In response to a determination that the non-proprietary device is a portable device, another determination is made as to whether or not a number of acceptable duplication has been exceeded. In response to a determination that the number of acceptable duplication has been exceeded, a flag is set to indicate a control access violation has occurred.

Abstract: A method for limiting access of each of a plurality of operators having assigned activities in an overall workflow distribution, to computer resources needed to respectively complete each activity through a computer controlled interactive display interface. A workflow distribution process with a plurality of users or participants at a plurality of computer controlled display stations. At the workflow management source, an implementation for respectively assigning activities to each of a plurality of operators and for designating for each of the activities, at least one computer resource necessary to respectively complete each of the activities. A set of elements, each representing a designated computer resource accessible to a user to carry out an assigned activity is displayed. An implementation for determining the completion of each of the assigned activities, and for removing from the display the elements representing the designated computer resources when an activity is completed.

Abstract: A method, system and program for providing indexed web page contents to a search engine database. In response to each user request for a web page, user access to the web page is provided from a temporary copy of the web page which is stored on a device which accesses the web page and which is accessible to the user. Indexing data is then automatically recorded at that device from the temporarily stored copy of the accessed web page, wherein the indexing data corresponds to contents of the accessed web page. The indexing data is thereafter transmitted from the device to a remote data storage device which provides a search engine database.

Abstract: A system and method for activating bookmark files on a pervasive computing device is provided. When the pervasive computing device receives geographic coordinates from a global positioning system (GPS), it selects appropriate bookmarks for the user's location. The pervasive computing device compares geographic coordinate data received from the GPS with geographic matching data stored on the pervasive computing device. In addition, actions are taken to perform commands when the user is within the proximity of a location. Scheduling means are provided so that actions are performed during appropriate times. The pervasive computing device further connects to a computer network, such as the Internet, to access data files and to perform commands on external computing devices. If the commands are executed successfully, a success action is performed on the pervasive computing device. On the other hand, if errors were encountered a failure action is performed notifying the user of the error.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for profiling memory allocation in a data processing system are disclosed. The method includes initiating a memory allocation request and, in response to the memory allocation request, profiling the memory allocation request to determine a prescribed set of characteristics associated with request. The profiled set of characteristics are the stored for subsequent review. In one embodiment, the profiled memory allocation request is selectively chosen from a set of memory allocation requests on the basis of a memory allocation sampling criterion. The sampling criterion may be based upon the size of the memory block requested in the memory allocation request in one embodiment. In an alternative embodiment, the sampling criterion is the based upon the number of memory allocation requests.

Abstract: A facilitated input unit (165,170), particularly for allowing a disabled person to use a computer (100). The input unit includes a small display (165) for showing available input items (such as characters, number, and control keys), which is distinct from a monitor (145) of the computer; a headset (170), or other equivalent means, is used to select one of the items and enter the selected item into the system without using the user's hands, thereby simulating a keyboard (155) of the computer.

Abstract: A network cable includes first and second connectors and corresponding sets of connector pins and signal wires. A coupling piece controls the routing between the first set of signal wires and the second set of signal wires. The coupling piece includes at least two configuration settings where each configuration setting actuates a corresponding routing between the two sets of signal wires. The first configuration setting may actuate a passthrough configuration where each first connector pin is connected to a like numbered second connector pin. The second configuration may actuate a crossover configuration in which at least some of the first connector pins are connected to like numbered second connector pins and at least some of the first connector pins are connected to un-like numbered second connector pins. The coupling piece may include a cylindrical outer piece that rotates around an inner piece to actuate the various configuration settings.

Abstract: This system sets up a framework that allows for separating debug information from executable code. The system is comprised of a compiler, a linker and a debugger. The compiler produces optimized object code and a debugging information file that contains information necessary for symbolic debugging. The linker merges the optimized object files to produce an optimized executable file as well as debugging information files to produce a composite debugging information file. This debugging information file can be further refined when the program is executed to include runtime dependencies. The debugger provides a source code debugging environment and a core dump debugging environment for the optimized code. The debugger allows monitoring of variable values, placement of watches on changes in variable values, setting breakpoints by location or by name and performing program debugging at a source code level.

Abstract: A system and method to create child objects from parent objects in an action diary. Child objects are created with increasing specificity regarding a system situation. A method is provided for associating an action diary based on the parent class of an object, even if there are no instances of objects of the parent class. A knowledge expert creates an action diary and associate that diary with a parent class object. The children of that class have the class generic action diary available to assist the operator in handling new situations. As the operators improve the handling of a specific situation, a new action diary is created by including information and actions in from the original action diary and can be associated with the specific child object. Thus the evolution of knowledge can orderly proceed from a general type to a specific.

Abstract: According to one form of the invention, a display is generated for a target software program, including certain text, responsive to a user interface object. A user selection of a portion of the text for changing is accepted by an editor. The editor introspects the user interface object to find a text object having the selected text portion stored in a localization file. The editor then directs a source code version controller to check out the file and accepts a change of the text inputted by the user. The editor changes the text in the file and directs the source code version controller to check in the file with the changed text portion.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking memory leaks is presented. A user sets a memory tracking flag that notifies the system to track memory allocations and memory de-allocations. A memory array is initialized which includes multiple memory array slots. Each memory array slot includes a free flag and fields to store information corresponding to a memory allocation. When memory is allocated to an application or file, the system locates an unused memory array slot, sets the free flag to false, and stores memory allocation information in the memory array slot. When the application or file de-allocates the memory, the system locates the corresponding allocated memory array slot and sets the corresponding free flag to true, indicating a proper memory de-allocation. Upon shutdown, the system reviews the status of each free flag corresponding to each memory array slot, and generates a report which includes memory allocations that are not properly de-allocated.

Abstract: In a method form of the invention, a method for authorizing recording of a telephone communication includes determining if permission has been granted to record a telephone communication in a telephone call. A communication in the telephone call is recorded by a message-recording apparatus for a first caller's telephone responsive to receiving permission for the recording from a second caller's telephone. A key is associated with the recording. The key authorizes transferring the recording to another message-recording apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method by which repeaters are able to temporarily or permanently store data in a local repository called a depot. Two uses for the depots are checkpoint restart functionality and the ability to store commonly installed software distributions on nodes closer to their destinations. Large software programs such as Office 95™ can be stored on local repeaters for fast and efficient distribution. A particular distribution can be stored in more than one depot. Depots will provide an interface to allow administrators to list the contents of a depot, store new distributions and delete old distributions. Data may be added to a depot by either an explicit administrator command or by retaining data sent as part of a distribution. Applications can decide what data is appropriate for depoting, and mark those distribution segments as “storable”.

Abstract: A system and method of handling and routing a desired command between a sender with a coupled invoker and a recipient With a coupled receiver that uses and implements a next hop technique. A router object is provided with a hierarchical tree of routers mapped by a router destination table. A destination address of the desired command is examined, moved, and routed to a next hop location based on the router destination table and the destination address. It is determined whether the desired command has reached the final destination, and the command is delivered from the invoker to the receiver when the final desired destination address has been reached.

Abstract: A system and method of generating a link between a note of a digital score and a realization of the score are provided. To do so, a digital score is processed to generate an onset curve. The onset curve is then filtered to generate a first series of first time intervals, which each have a significant number of onsets. A realization of the digital score is also processed to generate a second series of second time intervals, which each have a significant dynamic change of the realization. The first and the second series of time intervals are then correlated to produce the link.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cataloging symbolic data for use in performance analysis of computer programs is provided. The apparatus and method stores symbolic data for loaded modules during or shortly after a performance trace and utilizes the stored symbolic data when performing a performance analysis at a later time. A merged symbol file is generated for a computer program, or application, under trace. The merged symbol file contains information useful in performing symbolic resolution of address information in trace files for each instance of a module. During post processing of the trace information generated by a performance trace of a computer program, symbolic information stored in the merged symbol file is compared to the trace information stored in the trace file. The correct symbolic information in the merged symbol file for loaded modules is identified based a number of validating criteria.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method to build programs from activity function units (AFUs) within a graphical environment. Each AFU is made from graphical representations of functional units (FUs). The resulting AFUs can be locked so that users cannot view proprietary and trade secret information as to how they accomplish their tasks. AFUs can be combined with other FUs and previously-created code represented in FU form to build large complex programs which are modified and added to by the user by means of manipulation of graphical elements on the computer screen without disclosing underlying coding.

Abstract: A method of configuring information for display includes assigning continuum labels to pieces of information, or information units, accessible by a computer system. The continuum labels may be used in arranging the information units into ordered sequences, or continuum arrangements. The method may include using a graphical user interface to establish sequences of icons representing information units. Forming continuum arrangements to configure information may allow display of the information in a form allowing rapid, convenient viewer access to desired pieces of information. In a method of displaying information, three axes are configured on a display screen, and selectable regions are configured in the vicinity of the axes, where each selectable region corresponds to an information unit. The position of the selectable region corresponding to an information unit is determined by a set of coordinates corresponding to x-axis, y-axis and z-axis continuum labels assigned to the information unit.